CN116657765A

CN116657765A - Foldable building structure with public passage and laminated enclosure

Info

Publication number: CN116657765A
Application number: CN202310349974.XA
Authority: CN
Inventors: 保罗·提拉曼尼; 加利亚诺·提拉曼尼; 凯尔·登曼
Original assignee: Construction Ip Co ltd
Current assignee: Bossabur Co
Priority date: 2019-02-14
Filing date: 2020-02-10
Publication date: 2023-08-29
Also published as: JP2024096373A; JP2022523348A; US11566414B2; MX2021009720A; WO2020167673A1; US11591789B2; CN113454302A; EP3924565A4; CN116122420A; US20200263414A1; US11220816B2; US11525256B2; MA54956A; US11560707B2; US20200263412A1; US20220170258A1; CN115450325A; CN113454302B; SA522441249B1; US20220170259A1

Abstract

A building structure enclosure having a thickness, the enclosure having: an inner protective layer comprising paper; a first structural layer bonded to the inner protective layer and comprising a first generally rectangular structural panel made of magnesium oxide disposed in side-by-side relationship with a second generally rectangular structural panel made of magnesium oxide to define a first structural panel seam between the first and second structural panels. A first adhesive strip made of magnesium oxide is positioned over the first structural panel seam and is secured to form an overlap with the first and second structural panels to bond the first and second structural panels together.

Description

Foldable building structure with public passage and laminated enclosure

The application is a divisional application of Chinese patent application No.202080014606.4 (PCT/US 2020/017524) submitted on the 2 nd month 10 th year 2020.

Cross Reference to Related Applications

The present application claims priority from U.S. provisional application number 62/805,710 filed on day 2, month 14 of 2019 and U.S. provisional application number 62/960,991 filed on day 1, month 14 of 2020.

Technical Field

The present invention relates to structures that are collapsible for ease of transportation, such as residential and other structures for residential occupancy, commercial occupancy, and/or material storage, and components for such structures.

Background

In the residential field, traditional residential construction techniques are known as "building-building" construction, in which a builder uses raw materials (such as wood, plywood, and steel-wood columns) for a main portion at a desired location to construct a house. These materials are assembled piece by piece on a previously prepared ground portion, such as a poured concrete slab or a poured concrete or clinker block foundation.

Various efforts have been made to break out of the conventional construction techniques for constructing homes, commercial spaces, etc. An alternative to component construction is commonly referred to as a modular house. In contrast to component buildings built on site, modular houses are built at the factory and then shipped to the site, typically by tractor-trailers. A disadvantage of modular houses is that potential purchasers can customize the structural layout to a relatively limited extent. That is, while certain features (e.g., a toilet bowl) may be added or subtracted from the room, the general shape and layout of the room cannot be changed or adapted to the customer's preferences.

In addition, the size of modular houses often exceeds the legal limits normally allowed for road transportation. For example, in the united states, the maximum allowable dimensions for road transport are typically 102 inches (259.1 cm) wide, 13.5 feet (4.11 meters) high, and 65 to 75 feet (19.81 to 22.86 meters) long. Thus, in many cases, transporting a modular house from a factory to a site requires oversized loading permits, which may limit the time that transportation can take place and the routes that can be used. Regulations regarding oversized roads may also require the use of guard vehicles and trailers. All of these requirements and limitations inevitably increase the cost of the modular house.

Another alternative to component construction is what is commonly referred to as a mobile home or a trailer home. Mobile and trailer homes (e.g., modular houses) are built in factories and then transported to the desired location. They may be constructed as two or three separate pieces that are connected at a receiving location, in which case they are referred to in the united states as double-wide (double-wide) or triple-wide (triple-wide). Before living, mobile homes and trailers typically require less field finishing than modular homes. On the other hand, such homes are often almost always single-storey, often with limited floor plans essentially dictated by shipping requirements, and purchasers are often not able to customize to any substantial extent. As with modular houses, mobile homes and trailer homes often violate road regulations for oversized, with the above-mentioned drawbacks.

Another alternative to component construction is to use panels (rather than the entire house or room) that are manufactured in a factory and ship them to a construction site for assembly into a building and finishing. In particular, such panels are referred to as structural insulating panels, or SIP for short. SIPs panels are typically foam core panels, each face of which faces a structural panel (such as oriented strand board). The benefits of using SIP in a building are generally considered to be rather limited relative to a component building, as house finishing is often the most expensive part of the building as opposed to a framework. Moreover, where multiple SIPs are used to form, for example, a wall, the intersection between two adjacent SIPs will have a seam that spans the thickness of the wall, which can affect structural rigidity. In addition, when holes are cut or positioned with SIP in the field to place windows and doors, a constructor must insert a lintel or header at the top of each hole to distribute the vertical load applied from above each window and door to the load-bearing side. This also increases the cost of using SIP.

There are also temporary offices or field trailers that are similar in size to the trailer houses. Temporary offices are typically made of steel and are merely covered sites that contain storage, offices, and meeting areas. They are not suitable for permanent living or occupancy.

U.S. patent nos. 8,474,194, 8,733,029 and U.S. patent publication No. 2019/0100908 describe significant advances in building residential and commercial spaces. In one aspect, these patent documents relate to manufacturing wall, floor and ceiling components in a factory and folding them together into a compact shipping module, which is then transported to the desired location and unfolded to form a structure in which folding and unfolding of the components can be facilitated by the use of hinges.

Disclosure of Invention

The present invention provides a set of wall, floor and ceiling components that can be manufactured in a factory and transported to a construction site where they can be assembled into structures suitable for human or object occupation, such as residential, office, retail space and warehouse use. The components herein can be easily shipped from the factory to the construction site. Furthermore, the wall parts are configured to support all vertical loads for which they are designed in their delivered state, although they are factory manufactured, they can be customized on site with various forms of open doors and windows. In addition, finished structures made in accordance with the invention disclosed herein may be assembled in a variety of configurations. Thus, these inventions advantageously provide the user with both the advantage of personalizing the building and the efficiency and economy of factory manufacture.

One aspect of the invention relates to an enclosure for a building structure, the enclosure having a thickness and comprising: an inner protective layer comprising paper; a first structural layer bonded to the inner protective layer, wherein the first structural layer comprises a first generally rectangular structural panel made of magnesium oxide, the first structural panel being disposed in side-by-side relation with a second generally rectangular structural panel made of magnesium oxide to define a first structural panel seam between the first structural panel and the second structural panel, and wherein the first structural layer comprises a first adhesive strip positioned over the first structural panel seam, the first adhesive strip being secured to form an overlap with the first structural panel and the second structural panel to bond the first structural panel and the second structural panel together. The enclosure includes: a first reinforcing layer comprising a woven fibrous mat, the first reinforcing layer bonded to the first structural layer; and a foam layer having a first opposing face and a second opposing face and comprising a generally rectangular first foam panel and a generally rectangular second foam panel arranged in side-by-side relationship to define a foam panel seam between the first foam panel and the second foam panel; wherein the first and second structural panels are positioned relative to the first and second foam panels such that the first structural panel seam is offset from the foam panel seam by a distance in a direction substantially perpendicular to the thickness; the first reinforcing layer is bonded to the first opposite face of the foam layer.

The aforementioned enclosure further comprises a second structural layer comprising a generally rectangular third structural panel made of magnesium oxide disposed in side-by-side relationship with a generally rectangular fourth structural panel made of magnesium oxide to define a second structural panel seam therebetween, and wherein the second structural layer comprises a second adhesive strip positioned over the second structural panel seam, the second adhesive strip being secured to form an overlap with the third and fourth structural panels to bond the third and fourth structural panels together. The third and fourth structural panels are positioned relative to the first and second foam panels such that the second structural panel seam is offset from the foam panel seam by a distance in a direction substantially perpendicular to the thickness; and the second structural layer is bonded to the opposite face of the foam layer.

Another aspect of the invention relates to a foldable building structure comprising a fixed space portion comprising a first floor portion having a thickness defining an interior portion of the first floor portion, a first ceiling portion having a thickness defining an interior portion of the first ceiling portion, and a first wall portion having a thickness defining an interior portion of the first wall portion. The foldable building structure further includes a second ceiling portion having a thickness defining an interior portion of the second ceiling portion, the second ceiling portion being movable between a folded position proximate the fixed space portion and a deployed position, and a third ceiling portion having a thickness defining an interior portion of the third ceiling portion, the third ceiling portion being movable between a folded position proximate the fixed space portion and a deployed position. The second and third ceiling sections are movable from their respective folded positions to their respective deployed positions to form a ceiling member of the building structure when deployed, wherein the ceiling member has a perimeter. Each of the first ceiling portion, the second ceiling portion, and the third ceiling portion defines sections of a common channel in the interior portions of the first ceiling portion, the second ceiling portion, and the third ceiling portion that are configured to form a closed loop of a common channel in the interior portions of the ceiling members when the second ceiling portion and the third ceiling portion are in their deployed positions, the common channel being proximate to the perimeter of the ceiling members and adapted to receive a common line.

According to one aspect of the present application there is provided a collapsible building structure comprising:

a fixed space portion including a first floor portion having a thickness to define an interior portion of the first floor portion; a first ceiling portion having a thickness to define an interior portion of the first ceiling portion; and a first wall portion having a thickness to define an interior portion of the first wall portion;

the foldable building structure further comprises:

a second ceiling portion having a thickness to define an interior portion of the second ceiling portion, the second ceiling portion being movable between a folded position proximate the fixed space portion and a deployed position;

a third ceiling portion having a thickness to define an interior portion of the third ceiling portion, the third ceiling portion being movable between a folded position proximate the fixed space portion and a deployed position;

the second and third ceiling portions being movable from their respective folded positions to their respective deployed positions so as to form together with the first ceiling portion a ceiling member of the building structure when in their deployed positions, the ceiling member having a perimeter; and

At least one of the first floor section, the first ceiling section, the second ceiling section, or the third ceiling section includes at least a section of a channel in an interior section adapted to receive a utility line.

Optionally, the first ceiling portion, the second ceiling portion, and the third ceiling portion each define a length of channel in the first ceiling portion, the second ceiling portion, and the third ceiling portion.

Optionally, each segment of the channels in the first, second and third ceiling portions are configured to form a closed loop in the interior portion of the ceiling member when the second and third ceiling portions are in their deployed positions, the closed loop being positioned near the perimeter of the ceiling member and adapted to accommodate a utility line.

Optionally, the foldable building structure further comprises a foamed material in an interior portion of the first ceiling portion, the second ceiling portion and the third ceiling portion, and the channel is positioned within the foamed material of the first ceiling portion, the second ceiling portion and the third ceiling portion.

Optionally, the channel comprises a first channel and a second channel spaced apart from and substantially parallel to the first channel, wherein the first channel and the second channel are substantially circular in cross-section.

Optionally, the first ceiling portion has a first plurality of spaced apart elongated ceiling slots in an interior portion thereof for receiving a utility line;

the second ceiling portion having a second plurality of spaced apart elongated ceiling slots in an interior portion thereof for receiving a utility line;

the third ceiling portion having a third plurality of spaced apart elongated ceiling slots in an interior portion thereof for receiving a utility line;

one or more of the first plurality of spaced apart elongated ceiling slots, one or more of the second plurality of spaced apart elongated ceiling slots, and one or more of the third plurality of spaced apart elongated ceiling slots are in communicating relation with a channel formed when the second and third ceiling portions are in their deployed positions to form the ceiling member of the building structure with the first ceiling portion.

Optionally, each of the first ceiling portion, the second ceiling portion and the third ceiling portion each have a plurality of spaced apart elongated ceiling slot segments in an interior portion thereof adapted to form a fourth plurality of spaced apart elongated ceiling slots for receiving a utility line and in communicating relation with the channels formed when the second ceiling portion and the third ceiling portion are in their deployed positions, the fourth plurality of spaced apart elongated ceiling slots oriented substantially perpendicular to the first plurality of spaced apart elongated ceiling slots, the second plurality of spaced apart elongated ceiling slots and the third plurality of spaced apart elongated ceiling slots.

Optionally, the foldable building structure further comprises:

a second wall portion having a thickness to define an interior portion of the second wall portion, the second wall portion being movable between a folded position adjacent the fixed space portion and a deployed position to form all or part of a wall component of the building structure with the first wall portion when in the deployed position of the second wall portion;

The first wall portion having a first plurality of spaced apart elongated wall slots in an interior portion thereof for receiving a utility line;

the second wall portion having a second plurality of spaced apart elongated wall slots in an interior portion thereof for receiving a utility line; and

one or more of the first spaced apart wall elongate slots and one or more of the second spaced apart wall elongate slots are in communicating relation with a channel formed when the second and third ceiling portions are in their deployed positions to form the ceiling member of the building structure with the first ceiling portion.

Optionally, each of the first and second wall portions has a wall slot segment in an interior portion thereof, the wall slot segments being adapted to form a connecting wall slot for receiving a utility line when the first wall portion is in its deployed position, the connecting wall slot being in communication with each of the first and second spaced apart elongate wall slots when the first wall portion is in its deployed position.

Optionally, the foldable building structure further comprises:

A second floor section having a thickness to define an interior portion of the second floor section; the second floor section being movable between a folded position adjacent the fixed space section and a deployed position to form, with the first floor section, a floor element of the building structure;

the first floor section having a first plurality of spaced apart elongated floor slots in an interior portion thereof for receiving a utility line;

the second floor section having a second plurality of spaced apart elongated floor slots in an interior portion thereof for receiving a utility line;

one or more of the first plurality of spaced apart elongated floor slots and one or more of the second plurality of spaced apart elongated floor slots are in communicating relation with respective first and second elongated wall slots of the first and/or second plurality of spaced apart elongated wall slots when the second wall portion is in its deployed position to form all or part of a wall component of the building structure with the first wall portion and when the second floor portion is in its deployed position to form a floor component of the building structure with the first floor portion.

Optionally, each of the first and second floor sections has a plurality of spaced apart elongate floor slot segments in an interior portion thereof adapted to form a third plurality of spaced apart elongate floor slots for receiving a utility line when the second floor section is in its deployed position, the third plurality of spaced apart elongate floor slots oriented substantially perpendicular to the first and second plurality of spaced apart elongate floor slots.

Optionally, the foldable building structure further comprises:

at least one channel access aperture formed in the first ceiling portion, the at least one channel access aperture being disposed in the first ceiling portion near an intersection of the first plurality of spaced apart elongated ceiling slots and the channel.

According to another aspect of the present application there is provided a foldable building structure comprising:

a plurality of enclosures including a collapsible wall member, a collapsible floor member, and a collapsible ceiling member, each of the plurality of enclosures being movable between a collapsed position and a deployed position,

The foldable wall part, the foldable floor part, and the foldable ceiling part are each formed of two or more parts pivotally connected to each other, each of the parts being formed of one or more laminated multi-layer panels having a thickness to define an interior part,

two or more portions of at least one of the foldable wall member, the foldable floor member, and the foldable ceiling member comprise:

a first plurality of channels formed in the inner portion and parallel to each other in a first direction;

a second plurality of channels formed in the interior portion and extending in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction such that the first and second plurality of channels form a grid in the interior portion adapted to receive a utility line.

Optionally, when at least one of the plurality of enclosures is in the deployed position, a loop is formed around a perimeter of the at least one of the plurality of enclosures via the first and second channels of the first plurality of channels and the first and second channels of the second plurality of channels.

Optionally, the circuit is formed around a perimeter of at least one of the two or more portions via first and second channels of the first plurality of channels and first and second channels of the second plurality of channels.

These and other aspects of the invention are described in the description of the preferred embodiments and claims set forth below and in the drawings.

Drawings

Fig. 1A and 1B are perspective views of a finished structure made in accordance with the present invention.

Fig. 2A and 2B are top views of finished structures made in accordance with the present invention.

Fig. 3A and 3B are end views of a shipping module from which the finished structure shown in fig. 1A and 1B, respectively, is formed.

Fig. 4A, 4B, 4C and 4D are exploded cross-sectional views of four embodiments of a laminated multi-story building for an enclosure of the present invention.

Fig. 5A is a cross-sectional view of a wall part according to the present invention, fig. 5B is a cross-sectional view of a wall part according to the present invention, and fig. 5C is a cross-sectional view of a wall part depicting the arrangement of wall grooves according to the present invention.

Fig. 6A and 6B are partial cross-sectional views of finished structures according to the invention depicting aspects of ceiling, wall and floor components of structures of a first type according to the invention in more detail.

Fig. 6C and 6D are partial cross-sectional views of finished structures according to the present invention, depicting in greater detail component utility channel embodiments of the utility service system of the present invention.

Fig. 6E is a bottom plan view of a ceiling element of the present invention including a component utility tunnel embodiment of the utility service system of the present invention.

Fig. 7A and 7B are partial cross-sectional views of finished structures according to the present invention depicting aspects of ceiling, wall and floor components of structures of a second type according to the present invention in greater detail.

Fig. 7C is a partially cut-away perspective view of a finished structure according to the present invention depicting the construction of a ceiling component in greater detail, an on-site utility channel embodiment using the utility service system of the present invention, and depicting the engagement of the ceiling component with a wall component.

Fig. 7D is a cross-sectional view of a ceiling element of the present invention including an on-site utility channel embodiment of the utility system and a ceiling trough of the present invention, and fig. 7E is a perspective view of an on-site utility channel embodiment of the utility system of the present invention depicting a channel access panel.

Fig. 7F is a cross-sectional view of a flooring component depicting a flooring channel of the present invention.

Fig. 8 is a schematic side view of an embodiment of a hinge structure connecting two floor parts according to the invention.

Fig. 9 is a schematic side view of an embodiment of a hinge structure according to the invention connecting two roof sections.

Fig. 10 depicts a layout of a three-chamber structure made in accordance with the present invention.

Fig. 11 is a perspective view of a two-layer structure made in accordance with the present invention.

Detailed Description

Fig. 1A depicts a first type of finished structure 150 (sometimes referred to herein as type 1 structure 151) according to the invention disclosed herein, and fig. 1B depicts a second type of finished structure 150 (sometimes referred to herein as type 2 structure 152) according to the invention disclosed herein. Type 1 structure 151 is smaller than type 2 structure 152, but the invention described herein is equally applicable to the fabrication and deployment of type 1 structure 151, type 2 structure 152, and other structures of different sizes. Accordingly, references herein to "structure 150" should be understood to generally represent type 1 structure 151 and type 2 structure 152, with no distinction made therebetween. Likewise, references to components identified by the same numerals in different embodiments indicate that the components are identical in these different embodiments.

The structure 150 as depicted in fig. 1A and 1B has a rectangular shape made up of three types of generally planar and rectangular enclosures 155, the three types of enclosures 155 consisting of wall members 200, floor members 300 and ceiling members 400. The structure 150 has one floor element 300, one ceiling element 400 and four wall elements 200. As shown in fig. 1A and 1B, the perimeter of the finished structure 150 is defined by a first longitudinal edge 106, a first lateral edge 108, a second longitudinal edge 116, and a second lateral edge 110.

The enclosures 155 (wall members 200, floor members 300, and ceiling members 400) can be fabricated and sized as described herein and positioned together to form the shipping module 100, with end views shown in fig. 3A and 3B, where fig. 3A depicts the shipping module 100 for a type 1 structure 151 and fig. 3B depicts the shipping module 100 for a type 2 structure 152. The enclosure 155 is sized such that the shipping module 100 is within federal highway size constraints in the united states. Thus, the shipping module 100 may be more easily transported on limited access highways and may be transported with appropriate trailer equipment without the need for oversized permissions. Thus, the basic components of the finished structure 150 may be manufactured in a factory, positioned together to form the shipping module 100, and the shipping module 100 may be transported to a location where the structure is desired, as described herein, where they may be easily assembled and customized.

Enclosure stack design

The enclosure 155 of the present invention may be manufactured using a stacked multi-layer design. Fig. 4A-4D depict four embodiments of the multi-layer design of the exemplary enclosure 155 in exploded cross-sections.

First and second embodiments

An inner protective layer (282). In the first and second embodiments of the laminated multilayer design, as shown in fig. 4A and 4B, respectively, the surface of the enclosure 155 that will face the interior of the structure 150 is optionally provided with an internal protective layer 282. Preferably, the inner protective layer 282 is made of relatively thick paper having a weight comparable to the weight of the outer surface used as a dry wall (e.g., sold under the trademark "for example). Preferably, the inner protective layer 282 is unwound from a continuous roll of paper (optionally, the width of the roll approximates the width of the enclosure 155) to create a seamless inner facing for the enclosure 155. This is particularly advantageous in comparison to conventional construction techniques, whether component, SIP or steel construction, where drywall panels must first be secured to structural elements, and then the joints between adjacent panels must be smoothly transitioned through the application of mortar (such as bulk material) and then sanded. These costly and laborious interior finishing steps can be avoided by using a continuous paper roll to manufacture the interior protective layer 282 in accordance with the teachings of the present invention. Also, no decoration using, for example, drywall is required.

A first structural layer (210). In the first embodiment depicted in fig. 4A, and in the second embodiment depicted in fig. 4B, a first structural layer 210 is provided. The inner protective layer 282, if used, is bonded to the first structural layer 210 with a suitable adhesive, preferably a polyurethane-based building adhesive. In the illustrated embodiment, the first structural layer 210 includes a plurality of rectangular structural building panels 211 that primarily include an inorganic composition having a relatively high strength, such as magnesium oxide (MgO). A suitable structural building panel 211 may be a MgO panel approximately 4 feet (1.22 meters) wide and approximately 8 feet (2.44 meters) long. In one particular implementation of the first embodiment of the multi-layer design of fig. 4A, the thickness of those structural building panels 211 using magnesium oxide panels may be about 0.5 inches (1.27 cm); as an alternative, a thickness of about 0.25 inches (0.64 cm) may be used.

To form the first structural layer 210, a plurality of generally rectangular structural building panels 211 are positioned adjacent to one another to generally cover the entire area of the intended enclosure 155. For example, with respect to the wall component 200a shown in fig. 5A, the structural building panels 211 are disposed horizontally and vertically adjacent to each other in a checkerboard relationship to cover substantially the entire area of the wall component 200 a. As another exemplary arrangement, a plurality of structural building panels 211 of sufficient length may be placed vertically side-by-side to cover substantially the entire area of the wall component 200.

The first structural layer 210 in the first and second embodiments shown in fig. 4A and 4B, respectively, also comprises a plurality of adhesive strips 212, for example made of magnesium oxide board, laid horizontally and/or vertically as required. In particular, the adhesive strips 212 are positioned on the straight joints between adjacent panels 211 and then secured to the areas of those panels adjacent to those joints, for example using a suitable adhesive, preferably a polyurethane-based building adhesive, to form a lap joint between adjacent building panels 211, thereby bonding the panels 211 of the first structural layer 210 together to form a single unit. The bonding strip 212 of the magnesium oxide panel may be, for example, about 6 inches (15.2 cm) wide and 0.25 inches (0.635 cm) or 0.5 inches (1.27 cm) thick.

A first reinforcing layer (213-1). As shown in the first and second embodiments depicted in fig. 4A and 4B, respectively, a first reinforcing layer 213-1 made of woven fibers (such as woven glass fibers) is then provided. In a first embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4A, the first reinforcement layer 213-1 is preferably unwound from a continuous felt roll (the width of the felt roll optionally being close to the width of the enclosure 155) to create a seamless inner layer. In a second embodiment, shown in FIG. 4B, the first reinforcement layer 213-1 includes a plurality of separate fiber layer segments, shown as segments 213-1a and 213-1B in FIG. 4B, that are positioned between the adhesive strips 212.

A foam panel (214). Referring again to fig. 4A and 4B, next a plurality of generally flat rectangular foam panels 214 are provided in the first and second embodiments that collectively present first and second opposing faces. The foam panel 214 is made of, for example, expanded Polystyrene (EPS) or polyurethane foam. A plurality of these foam panels 214 are positioned adjacent to one another to cover substantially the entire area of the intended enclosure 155. For example, with respect to the wall component 200a shown in fig. 5B, the foam panels 214 are disposed horizontally and vertically adjacent to one another in a checkerboard relationship to cover substantially the entire area of the wall component 200 a. As another exemplary arrangement, a plurality of foam panels 214 of sufficient length may be placed vertically side-by-side to cover substantially the entire area of the wall component 200.

Preferably, the seam between adjacent foam panels 214 does not overlap or overlap with the seam between the structural building panels 211 of the first structural layer 210, with reference to a direction across the thickness of the enclosure 155. Instead, it is preferred that the seam between adjacent foam panels 214 be offset from the seam between adjacent structural building panels 211 of the first structural layer 210 by a distance. For example, for foamed panels 214 disposed vertically side-by-side and structural building panels 211 disposed vertically side-by-side, the seam between adjacent foamed panels may be located at or near the midline (intermediate split line) of the structural building panels 211, depending upon design, manufacturing, and other considerations. Accordingly, for foam panels 214 arranged in a checkerboard relationship and building panels 211 arranged in a checkerboard relationship, each corner where the four foam panels 214 meet may be located at or near the center of the structural building panel 211, depending on design, manufacturing, and other considerations.

Preferably, the first reinforcing layer 213-1 is sandwiched between the first structural layer 210 and the first face of the foam panel 214 and is secured thereto using a suitable adhesive, preferably a polyurethane-based building adhesive. If the weave fibers of the first reinforcing layer 213-1 have a relatively open weave configuration, only one application of adhesive is required during the manufacturing process to bond the layers 210, 213-1, and 214 together to form a bonded laminate structure.

The foam panels 214 serve both as insulation and help to resist compressive loads exerted on the enclosures 155, such as those from roof and upper floor loads that may be carried by the walls. The first reinforcement layer 213-1 imparts strength to the enclosure 155 and acts as a burst barrier to resist weather-driven projectiles that would otherwise create a risk of wall penetration. Adjacent foam panels 214 are optionally secured to one another by a suitable adhesive (preferably polyurethane-based building adhesive) applied between the adjacent panels.

A second reinforcing layer (213-2). In the first embodiment of the laminated multilayer design shown in fig. 4A, first is a reinforcing layer of woven fibers, reinforcing layer 213-1 being on only one side of the foam panel 214. In a second embodiment of the laminated multi-layer design, as shown in FIG. 4B, there is a second reinforcing layer 213-2 made of woven fibers (such as woven glass fibers) on a second opposite side of the foam panel 214. The second reinforcement layer 213-2 may be continuous, as shown in the first reinforcement layer 213-1 of FIG. 4A, or may include a plurality of individual fiber layer segments, as shown in segments 213-2a and 213-2B of FIG. 4B, between the adhesive strips 217, as further described below.

A second structural layer (215). In a first embodiment of the laminated multilayer design shown in fig. 4A, a second structural layer 215 is provided, which is located on a second opposite side of the foam panel 214 (the side remote from the first structural layer 210). In a second embodiment of the laminated multilayer design, as shown in fig. 4B, a second structural layer 215 is also provided, while in the second embodiment, a second reinforcing layer 213-2 is sandwiched between a second opposing face of the foam panel 214 and the second structural layer 215. The second structural layer 215 includes a plurality of rectangular structural building panels 216, each structural building panel 216 consisting essentially of a relatively high strength inorganic composition, such as magnesium oxide. A suitable building panel 216 may be a magnesium oxide board approximately 4 feet (1.22 meters) wide by 8 feet (2.44 meters) long. In one exemplary embodiment of the second structural layer 215, those structural building panels 216 using magnesium oxide panels may alternatively be about 0.5 inches (1.27 cm), about 0.25 inches (0.64 cm) thick.

To form the second structural layer 215, a plurality of rectangular structural building panels 216 are laid adjacent to one another to cover substantially the entire area of the intended enclosure 155. For example, with respect to the wall component 200a shown in fig. 5B, the structural building panels 216 are disposed horizontally and vertically adjacent to one another in a checkerboard relationship to cover substantially the entire area of the wall component 200 a. As another exemplary arrangement, a plurality of structural building panels 216 of sufficient length may be placed vertically side-by-side to cover substantially the entire area of the wall component 200.

As with the first structural layer 210, preferably, the seams between adjacent foam panels 214 do not overlap or overlap with the seams between the structural building panels 216 of the second structural layer 215 in a direction across the thickness of the enclosure 155. Instead, preferably, the seam between adjacent foam panels 214 is offset from the seam between adjacent structural building panels 216 of the second structural layer 215 by a distance. For example, for foamed panels 214 disposed vertically side-by-side and structural building panels 216 disposed vertically side-by-side, the seam between adjacent foamed panels 214 may be located at or near the midline of the structural building panels 216, as permitted by design, manufacturing, and other considerations. Accordingly, for foam panels 214 arranged in a checkerboard relationship and structural building panels 216 arranged in a checkerboard relationship, each corner where four foam panels 214 intersect may be located at or near the center of structural building panel 216, as design, manufacturing, and other considerations allow. On the other hand, the seam between the structural building panels 211 of the first structural layer 210 may not preferably coincide with the seam of the structural building panel 216 of the second structural layer 215 in a direction across the thickness of the enclosure 155.

The second structural layer 215 in the first and second embodiments shown in fig. 4A and 4B, respectively, further includes a plurality of adhesive strips 217, for example, made of magnesium oxide sheet, between the building panel 216 and the foaming panel 214. The adhesive strip 217 is located on the straight line connection between adjacent panels 216 and then secured to the areas of those panels adjacent the connection, for example using a suitable adhesive, preferably polyurethane-based building adhesive, to form an overlap between adjacent building panels 216, thereby bonding the panels 211 of the first structural layer 210 together to form a single unit. The bonding strip 217 of the magnesium oxide panel may be, for example, about 6 inches (15.2 cm) wide and 0.25 inches (0.635 cm) or 0.5 inches (1.27 cm) thick.

If the first stiffening layer 213-1 and/or the second stiffening layer 213-2 is formed from a continuous roll, the foam panel 214 may have appropriate recesses (not shown) to accommodate such local thickness variations of the layer 213-1/adhesive strip 212 and/or the layer 213-2/adhesive strip 217 combination that may occur in these areas proximate to the adhesive strips. If the first stiffening layer 213-1 and/or the second stiffening layer 213-2 are formed from separate segments, the foam panel 214 may have appropriate recesses (not shown) to accommodate the adhesive strips 212 and/or 217.

In a first embodiment shown in fig. 4A, the second structural layer 215 is fastened to the foam panel 214 using, for example, a suitable adhesive, preferably a polyurethane-based building adhesive. In a second embodiment shown in fig. 4B, the second reinforcement layer 213-2 is preferably fastened to the second structural layer 215 and the foam panel 214 using, for example, a suitable adhesive, preferably a polyurethane-based building adhesive. If the first reinforcing layer 213-2 has weave fibers of an opposite open weave construction, only one application of adhesive is required during the manufacturing process to bond the layers 214, 213-2 and 215 together to form a bonded laminate structure.

In the embodiment of the wall component 200 shown in fig. 5B, the exterior of the structural building panels 216 of the second structural layer 215 are provided with grooves 218 for aesthetic reasons, particularly to better conceal the presence of seams between adjacent panels 216. Optionally, additional protective material unwound from a continuous roll may be used to cover the exterior of the panel 216.

As shown in fig. 4A, a first embodiment of a laminated multilayer design is particularly suitable in which the combination of first structural layer 210 and first reinforcement layer 213-1 is subjected to a tensile load (such as may be caused by a load that causes deflection or bending), but second structural layer 215 is not subjected to any significant degree of tensile load. As shown in fig. 4B, a second embodiment of a laminated multilayer design is particularly suitable, wherein the combination of the first structural layer 210 and the first reinforcement layer 213-1, as well as the combination of the second structural layer 215 and the second reinforcement layer 213-2, may be subjected to tensile loads. In the case where there is no tensile load in the applicable region, reinforcement layer 213-1 and/or reinforcement layer 213-2 may be omitted. Furthermore, while the inner protective layer 282 is shown as being bonded to the first structural layer 210, it may be equally easily bonded to the second structural layer 215, with the structural layer facing the interior living portion of the structure. The inner protective layer 282 may also be omitted if not desired.

Third embodiment

A third embodiment of a stacked multi-layer design is shown in fig. 4C. The third embodiment of fig. 4C has the metal plate layer 205 instead of the second structural layer 215, as compared to the second embodiment shown in fig. 4B, but otherwise is identical in design to the second embodiment shown in fig. 4B. The metal sheet layer 205 may be, for example, steel or aluminum, made of a plurality of generally planar rectangular metal sheets 206, the metal sheets 206 being disposed adjacent to one another to cover substantially the entire area of the intended enclosure 155 and being connected to one another, such as by riveting or welding. After joining, the joined metal sheet 206 of the metal sheet layer 205 is secured to a second, opposite face of the foam panel 214 (the face of the foam panel 214 remote from the structural layer 210) with a suitable adhesive.

Preferably, the seams between adjacent foam panels 214 do not overlap or overlap with the seams in the connecting sheet metal 206 of sheet metal layer 205 in a direction across the thickness of enclosure 155. Instead, it is preferred that the seam between adjacent foam panels 214 be offset from the seam in the connecting sheet metal 206 of sheet metal layer 205 by a distance. For example, for foam panels 214 placed vertically side-by-side and connecting metal plates 206 placed vertically side-by-side, the seam between adjacent foam panels may be located at or near the midline (middle split line) of connecting metal plates 206, depending on design, manufacturing, and other considerations.

In a third embodiment, the metal plates 206 of the metal plate layer 205 may be made of steel, optionally with protective and/or decorative surface treatments, each metal plate having, for example, approximately 26-20gauge (0.0179 inch (0.454 millimeter) -0.0478 inch (1.214 millimeters)). The use of the metal sheet layer 205 provides an increase in tensile strength compared to, for example, the second structural layer 215 comprising a structural building panel 216 (particularly a magnesium oxide panel). Meanwhile, the laminated multilayer design shown in fig. 4C shows significant compressive strength in the region of the first structural layer 210 comprising the structural building panel 211 (in particular, a magnesium oxide panel).

Fourth embodiment

A fourth embodiment of a stacked multi-layer design is shown in fig. 4D. In comparison to the third embodiment shown in fig. 4C, the fourth embodiment of fig. 4D includes a protective layer 293 interposed between the foam panel 214 and the metal sheet layer 205, but otherwise is identical in design to the third embodiment shown in fig. 4C. The protective layer 293 includes a plurality of generally rectangular protective panels 294 disposed adjacent to one another to cover substantially the entire area of the intended enclosure 155. The protective panel 294 of the protective layer 293 may comprise primarily a refractory inorganic composition, such as magnesium oxide (MgO) or calcium sulfate dihydrate (also known as drywall, e.g., sold under the trademark ") suitable protective panel 294 for the protective layer 293 may be a magnesium oxide panel about 4 feet (1.22 meters) wide and about 8 feet (2.44 meters) long.

The building protection panel 294 of the protective layer 293 is bonded to the foam panel 214 and the metal sheet layer 205 by applying a suitable adhesive between the protective layer 293 and the second opposing face of the foam panel 214, between the protective layer 293 and the metal sheet layer 205. A suitable thickness of the building protection panel 294 using the magnesium oxide panel's protective layer 293 may be 0.125 inches (3.18 millimeters). In the fourth embodiment of the laminated multi-story building shown in fig. 4D, the primary function of the protective layer 293 is to impart fire resistance.

Outer edge reinforcement of enclosing part

The outer edges defining the perimeter of each enclosure 155 may be provided with edge reinforcements, as desired. The outer edge reinforcement may protect the foamed panel material that would otherwise be exposed at the outer edge of the enclosure 155. The outer edge reinforcement may also serve other functions as described below. The outer edge reinforcement may be made of one or more laminated plywood sheets, wood panels, C-channel extruded aluminum or steel, or the like, and is typically secured to the outer edge of the enclosure 155 with fasteners (such as screw or nail fasteners) and/or adhesive.

Enclosure part separation

In some cases, the enclosure 155 is divided into enclosure portions to facilitate forming a compact shipping module 100. In those instances where the enclosure 155 is divided into enclosure portions, any outer edge reinforcement on the outer edge defining the enclosure perimeter is split between or in those portions as desired.

Inner edge reinforcement of enclosure

The enclosure 155 divided into a plurality of enclosure portions will have an inner edge. For each adjacent pair of enclosure portions, there will be two adjacent inner edges. Such inner edges may be provided with inner edge reinforcements. Like the outer edge reinforcement, such inner edge reinforcement may protect the foamed panel material that would otherwise be exposed at the inner edge of the enclosure 155. The inner edge reinforcement may also serve other functions as described below. The inner edge reinforcement may be made of one or more laminated plywood, wood panels, C-channel extruded aluminum or steel, or the like, and is typically secured to the inner edge of the enclosure 155 with fasteners (such as screw or nail fasteners) and/or adhesive.

Further design details of the finished structure 150, wall component 200, floor component 300, and ceiling component 400 are provided in the following sections.

Wall parts (200)

Typically, the finished structure 150 will use four wall components 200, each wall component 200 corresponding to the entire wall of the structure 150. The wall member 200 has a generally rectangular perimeter. The height and length of the wall component 200 may vary depending on design preference, but is limited by the above-described dimensions suitable for transportation. In the present invention, the structure 150 is formed with two opposing sides that are longer than the other two sides (as in the case of type 1 structure 151), two wall members 200 positioned along the first longitudinal edge 106 and the second longitudinal edge 116 are sometimes referred to as long wall members, each wall member 200 is designated 200a, and two wall members 200 positioned along the first transverse edge 108 and the second transverse edge 110 are sometimes referred to as short wall members, each wall member 200 is designated 200b. All sides of the structure 150 are of approximately equal length (as in the case of type 2 structure 152), and four wall components 200 are sometimes each designated 200s. The basic structure and design of the wall component 200 is the same for both the type 1 structure 151 and the type 2 structure 152 and is generally applicable to the structure 150.

In the particular embodiment of the type 1 structure 151 shown in fig. 1A and 2A, the long wall member 200a is about 39 feet (11.89 meters) in length and the short wall member 200b is about 19.5 feet (5.94 meters) in length; thus, the length of the long wall member 200a positioned along the first and second longitudinal edges 106, 116 is approximately twice the length of the short wall member 200b positioned along the first and second lateral edges 108, 110. The long wall member 200a and the short wall member 200b have a height of about 9.5 feet (2.9 meters) and a thickness of about 6 inches (15.24 cm).

As described above, the type 2 structure 152 shown in fig. 1B and 2B has wall parts 200, 200s (each named 200 s) of equal length-i.e., the type 2 structure 152 has a generally square shape. Thus, in the case of the type 2 structure 152, the first and second longitudinal edges 106, 116 and the first and second transverse edges 108, 110 are all of equal length. In the particular embodiment of the type 2 structure 152 shown in fig. 1B and 2B, the wall members 200, 200s may be about 19 feet (5.79 meters) in length, about 9.45 feet (2.88 meters) in height, and about 6 inches (15.24 centimeters) in thickness.

As described above, the wall part 200 of the present invention preferably uses one of the laminated multi-layer designs described above with reference to fig. 4A to 4D. For example, the long wall component 200a shown in fig. 5A and 5B may use a second embodiment of a laminated multi-layer design with reference to fig. 4B. The particular embodiment of the wall component 200s of type 2 structure 152 shown in fig. 1B and 2B described above may use a second multi-layer design (fig. 4B) having MgO plates 0.25 inches (0.635 cm) thick for the structural building panel 211 of the first structural layer 210, and may also be used for the structural building panel 216 of the second structural layer 211 having adhesive strips 211, 217 of MgO plates 0.25 inches (0.635 cm) thick and 6 inches (15.24 cm) wide. The foam panel 214 may be 5.5 inches (13.97 cm) thick, resulting in a wall component 200 that is approximately 6 inches (15.24 cm) thick.

The perimeter of each wall component 200 is typically provided with an outer edge reinforcement. As shown in the long wall member 200a shown in fig. 5A, the outer edge reinforcement for the wall member 200 is a floor slat 220 along the bottom horizontal edge, a ceiling slat 240 along the top horizontal edge, and two end members 270 secured at each vertical edge 275 of the wall member 200, respectively. In the case of the wall part 200, the outer edge reinforcement provides, in addition to protecting the outer edge of the foamed panel material, a region for fastening similar regions adjoining the wall part 200, the ceiling part 400 and the floor part 300.

The outer edge reinforcement for the wall member 200 provided by the floor strips 220, ceiling strips 240 and end members 270 may be made from one or more of laminated plywood sheets, wood panels, C-channel extruded aluminum or steel, or the like. Alternatively, one type of suitable enclosure perimeter structure disclosed in U.S. non-provisional patent application Ser. No. 16/786,202, filed on the same date as the present application and entitled "enclosure perimeter structure" by the same inventors, may be used in addition to or in lieu of the outer edge reinforcement of the type just described for wall component 200. U.S. non-provisional patent application No. 16/786,202, filed on the same date as the present application and entitled "enclosure perimeter structure" filed on even date herewith, is incorporated herein by reference as if fully set forth herein, and specifically includes enclosure perimeter structures such as those described in paragraphs 110-124 thereof and FIGS. 10-12 thereof. Notably, these enclosure perimeter structures may also function as seals to inhibit water ingress and environmental exposure.

Wall separation

A partition wall section of a type 1 structure (151). Referring to fig. 2A, each of the two short wall parts 200b of the type 1 structure 151 includes a first wall portion 200b-1 and a second wall portion 200b-2. Each wall portion 200b-1 and 200b-2 is a generally rectangular planar structure. The inner vertical edge 191-1 of each wall portion 200b-1 is adjacent to the corresponding inner vertical edge 191-2 of wall portion 200b-2. The inner edge reinforcement may be provided at any one or more of the vertical edges 191-1 and 191-2, examples of which include laminated plywood, wood board, C-channel extruded aluminum or steel.

Referring again to fig. 2A, two first wall portions 200b-1 are positioned in a fixed position on floor portion 300a opposite each other proximate first lateral edge 108 and second lateral edge 110 of finished structure 150. Each first wall portion 200b-L is connected to a second wall portion 200b-2 by a hinge structure. These hinge structures allow the second wall portion 200b-2 to pivot about the vertical axis 191 between a folded position and an unfolded position. FIG. 2A depicts the second portions 200b-2 in their unfolded position, designated 200b-2u, and in their folded-in position, designated 200b-2f. When the second portions 200b-2 are in their folded position, they help form a compact shipping module. When the second portions 200b-2 are in their deployed position, they form together with the first portions 200b-1 a short wall component 200b of the type 1 construction 151 as shown in fig. 2A.

A partition wall portion of a type 2 structure (152).Referring to fig. 2B, the type 2 structure 152 has two opposing wall parts 200s, wherein one opposing wall part 200s includes a first wall portion 200s-1, a second wall portion 200s-2, and a third wall portion 200s-3, and the other opposing wall part 200s includes a fourth wall portion 200s-4 and a fifth wall portion 200s-5. Wall sections 200s-1, 200s-2, 20 Each of 0s-3, 200s-4 and 200s-5 has a substantially rectangular planar structure. As shown in FIG. 2B, the inner vertical edge 192-1 of the wall portion 200s-1 is adjacent to the corresponding inner vertical edge 192-2 of the wall portion 200s-2, and the inner vertical edge 193-2 of the wall portion 200s-2 is adjacent to the corresponding inner vertical wall edge 193-3 of the wall portion 200 s-3. As also shown in FIG. 2B, the inner vertical edge 194-4 of wall portion 200s-4 is adjacent to the corresponding inner vertical edge 194-5 of wall portion 200 s-5. The inner edge reinforcement may be provided at any one or more of the vertical edges 192-1, 192-2, 193-3, 194-4, and 194-5, examples of which include laminated plywood, wood panels, C-channel extruded aluminum, or steel.

Referring again to fig. 2B, the first wall portion 200s-1 is secured to the floor portion 300a at a location adjacent to the first lateral edge 108, and the fourth wall portion 200s-4 is secured to the floor portion 300a at a location opposite the first wall portion 200s-1 and adjacent to the second lateral edge 110. The first wall portion 200s-1 is connected to the second wall portion 200s-2 by a hinge structure that allows the wall portion 200s-2 to pivot about a vertical axis 192 between a folded position and an unfolded position. In addition, the second wall portion 200s-2 is connected to the third wall portion 200s-3 by a hinge structure to allow the third wall portion 200s-3 to pivot about the vertical axis 193 between the collapsed position and the expanded position. For the opposite wall, the fourth wall portion 200s-4 is connected to the fifth wall portion 200s-5 by a hinge structure that allows the first wall portion 200s-5 to pivot about the vertical axis 194 between a folded position and an unfolded position. Notably, the fifth wall portion 200s-5 is longer than the second wall portion 200s-2 or the third wall portion 200 s-3.

FIG. 2B depicts the second wall portion 200s-2 and the third wall portion 200s-3 in their deployed positions, wherein they are denoted by 200s-2u and 200s3-u, respectively, and depicts the fifth wall portion 200s-5 in its deployed position, wherein it is denoted by 200s-5 u. Fig. 2B also depicts the second wall portion 200s-2 and the third wall portion 200s-3 in their inwardly folded positions, wherein they are denoted by 200s-2f and 200s3-f, respectively, and the fifth wall portion 200s-5 in its inwardly folded position, wherein it is denoted by 200s-5 f. When the second wall portion 200s-2, the third wall portion 200s-3 and the fifth wall portion 200s-5 are in their inwardly folded positions, they help form a compact shipping module. When the second wall portion 200s-2 and the third wall portion 200s-3 are in their deployed positions, they form a wall component 200s with the first wall portion 200s-1 proximate the first transverse edge 108. When the fifth wall portion 200s-5 is in its unfolded position, together with the fourth wall portion 200s-4, they form a wall part 200s near the second transverse edge 110.

The above-described hinge structure (for fixing each first wall portion 200b-1 to its second wall portion 200b-2, fixing the first wall portion 200s-1 to the second wall portion 200s-2, fixing the second wall portion 200s-2 to the third wall portion 200s-3, and fixing the fourth wall portion 200s-4 to the fifth wall portion 200 s-5) may be a surface-mount type or a recessed type, and have temporary or permanent properties. As described above, the provision of the inner edge reinforcement may provide an area for securing the hinge structure. Suitable hinge structures may be made of, for example, metal, plastic, leather, iron, or nonferrous metal materials. Alternatively, suitable hinge structures are disclosed in U.S. non-provisional patent application No. 16/786,202 entitled "building enclosure perimeter Structure" filed on the same day as the present application and filed on the same inventor. U.S. non-provisional patent application No. 16/786,202, filed on the same date as the present application and entitled "enclosure perimeter Structure" the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference, specifically includes the hinge structures described, for example, in paragraphs 147-157 thereof and FIG. 15 thereof, as fully set forth herein. As described above, these hinge structures may be used in addition to or in place of the inner edge reinforcement, and may also function as seals to inhibit water ingress and environmental exposure.

A non-dividing wall element of a type 1 construction (151).In contrast to the two short wall parts 200b of the type 1 structure 151 (which short wall parts 200b are divided into two parts), the two long wall parts 200a shown in fig. 2A do not include a plurality of wallsThe wall portions are each of one-piece construction. However, one of these elongated wall members 200a (which is located on the floor portion 300b near the first longitudinal edge 106 and is sometimes referred to herein as a (long) wall member 200 a-P) is pivotally secured to the floor portion 300b to allow the wall member 200a-P to pivot about the horizontal axis 105 shown in fig. 3A from the folded position to the unfolded position. Pivotally securing the long wall members 200a-P also helps to form a compact shipping module 100. As shown in fig. 2A, the remaining long wall parts 200a, sometimes designated 200a-R in the present invention, are rigidly fixed to the floor portion 300a near the second longitudinal edge 116 and abut the vertical edges of the two first wall portions 200b-1 near the second longitudinal edge 116.

A non-dividing wall element of a type 2 construction (152).In contrast to the two wall parts 200s of the type 2 structure 152 (each wall part 200s being divided into a plurality of parts), the remaining two wall parts 200s shown in fig. 2B do not comprise a plurality of wall parts, but are of one-piece construction. However, one of these wall members 200s (which is sometimes referred to herein as 200s-P and is located on the floor portion 300B proximate the first longitudinal edge 106) is pivotally secured to the floor portion 300B to allow the wall member 200s-P to pivot about the horizontal axis 105 as shown in FIG. 3B from the collapsed position to the extended position. Pivotally securing the wall members 200s-P also helps to form a compact shipping module 100. As shown in FIG. 2B, the remaining wall parts 200s, sometimes designated 200s-R in the present invention, are rigidly secured to the floor portion 300a adjacent the second longitudinal edge 116 and abut the vertical edges of the first wall portion 200s-1 and the fourth wall portion 200s-4 adjacent the second longitudinal edge 116.

The above-described hinge structures (for securing the wall parts 200a-P to the floor portion 300b, and for securing the wall parts 200s-P to the floor portion 300 b) may be surface-mounted or recessed and have temporary or permanent properties. As described above, the provision of the outer edge reinforcement may provide an area for securing the hinge structure. Suitable hinge structures may be made of, for example, metal, plastic, leather, iron, or nonferrous metal materials. Alternatively, a suitable hinge structure is disclosed in U.S. non-provisional patent application No. 16/786,202 entitled "building enclosure perimeter Structure" filed on the same day as the present application and entitled "building enclosure perimeter Structure" (the hinge structure used may be changed as appropriate if the connection between the floor member 300b and the wall member 200a-P/200s-P is 90 degrees (90 °) when any of the floor members 200a-P/200s-P is in the deployed position). U.S. non-provisional patent application No. 16/786,202, filed on the same date as the present application and entitled "enclosure perimeter Structure" by the same inventors, is incorporated herein by reference as if fully set forth herein, and specifically includes hinge structures such as those described in paragraphs 125-157 thereof and FIGS. 13A-15 thereof. As described above, these hinge structures may be used in addition to or instead of the outer edge reinforcement, and may also function as a seal to inhibit water ingress and environmental exposure.

Wall groove

In the case where the wall component 200 uses one of the multi-layer laminate designs described with reference to fig. 4A-4C, the foam panel 214 may be provided with a series of elongated, generally parallel, approximately vertically oriented cylindrical channels that are spaced at regular intervals throughout the distance between the end pieces 270, each channel spanning the distance between the floor and ceiling tiles 220, 240. These vertical channels are designated wall channels 219 and can be seen as wall components 200a, 200b for type 1 structure 151 in fig. 6A, and wall component 200s for type 2 structure 152 in fig. 5C and 7A. Wall slots 219 facilitate installation of utility lines (such as for power, lighting control, heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC), HVAC control, security systems, including electrical and communication with smoke or thermal sensors, etc.) in wall component 200. In the embodiment shown in fig. 5C, the wall slots 219 are spaced apart, for example, at uniform intervals of about 29 inches (73.7 cm).

As shown in fig. 5C, optionally, a horizontal channel is provided above the flooring planks 220 and intersecting the wall channels 219. The purpose of this horizontal channel, called a connecting wall slot 207, is to facilitate wiring across the wall component 200. The connection wall slot 207 may be located, for example, approximately 16 inches (40.64 cm) above the floor 220. Although only one horizontally connected wall slot 207 is shown, one or more additional such wall slots 207 may be provided in the wall component 200, for example at a height suitable for a wall switch, to facilitate installation and connection of such wall switch. Suitably, segments of the connecting wall slot 207 extending through a plurality of wall sections are aligned so as to communicate with one another when such sections are deployed.

Preferably, the vertical and horizontal channels in the foam panel 214 defining the wall channels 207 and 219 are formed prior to assembly of the foam panel 214 into the laminated multilayer structure of the wall component 200. These channels may be formed, for example, by using hot wires positioned above the selected foam panel 214 and oriented parallel to the surface of the panel 214 along its length. The hot wire is then moved into the panel foam 214 below the panel surface. Once the proper depth is reached, the axis of the hot wire is directed into a circular path such that the length of the wire is cylindrical within the foam body of the panel 214, which results in the formation of a foam plug that breaks from the bulk foam body. Removal of the foam plug creates the desired channel defining wall slot 219 or connecting wall slot 207. Preferably, each slot 207, 219 has a diameter sufficient to install a utility line; for example, about 1 to 2 inches (2.54 to 5.08 cm) in diameter.

The ceiling tile 240 is provided with a plurality of spaced apart cylindrical through holes 209, as shown in fig. 5A, 5B and 5C, which are aligned with the wall slots 219 to allow communication between the area above the ceiling tile 240 and the wall slots 219. Likewise, the flooring plank 220 is provided with a plurality of spaced cylindrical through holes 291, as shown in FIG. 5C, that align with the wall grooves 219 to allow communication between the area under the flooring plank 220 and the wall grooves 219. If the wall member 200 is provided with one type of enclosure perimeter structure described in U.S. non-provisional patent application No. 16/786,202 entitled "enclosure perimeter structure" filed on the same day as the present application and filed on the same inventor, bonded in situ on one or both of the floor and ceiling strips 220 and 240, these structures may then be provided with suitable holes at locations comparable to the through holes 209 and 291 to allow communication with the wall slots 219.

The wall slots 219 communicate with a utility service system 460 located in the ceiling element 400, as described below.

Wall customization options

Fig. 1A and 2A depict a wall component 200 having a plurality of apertures, particularly a door aperture 202 for receiving a door frame and door assembly and a window aperture 204 for receiving a window frame and window assembly. One feature of the present invention is that the multi-layered construction of the wall component 200 provides a high degree of customization in the type, size and location of the doors, windows, etc., while the number of apertures 202, 204 may vary depending on design preference.

For example, once erected in the desired location for the structure, the builder may cut the door aperture 202 and window aperture 204 in the wall component 200 (as shown in fig. 1A) according to the purchaser's design choice. Thus, any number, size, and shape of window and door assemblies may be placed virtually anywhere, limited only by maintaining sufficient wall laminate material to ensure the structural integrity of the wall component 200 in the face of vertical and shear loads generated by normal use and emergencies such as storms and seismic activity. The single-panel laminated multi-layer structure of the wall element 200 supports the load over its entire length, thus providing a large degree of freedom of design and eliminating the need to add any load-sharing lintel or roof rail in the field.

After the holes are cut to the appropriate size and shape, the window and door assemblies may then be inserted and secured to the wall member 200 with adhesive or other suitable means. Various window and door assemblies are commercially available and suitable for use with the present invention. As a non-limiting example, the door assembly may include all components for mounting and making the door operable, such as two side frames, a top frame and a bottom beam, and a door hinged to one of the side posts. Also as a non-limiting example, the window assembly may include all components for mounting and making the window operable, such as a sill, side frames, top frames, window frames and glass, sash pulleys, and the like.

Ceiling component (400)

Typically, the finished structure 150 will use one ceiling element 400; thus, the ceiling component 400 is typically the entire ceiling of the finished structure 150. The ceiling member 400 has a generally rectangular perimeter. Wherein fig. 6A-7B depict a ceiling component 400 according to the present invention. The perimeter of the ceiling member 400 is defined by a first longitudinal ceiling edge 406, a first transverse ceiling edge 408, a second longitudinal ceiling edge 416, and a second transverse ceiling edge 410. In particular, the (a) first longitudinal ceiling edge 406, (b) first transverse ceiling edge 408, (c) second longitudinal ceiling edge 416, and (d) second transverse ceiling edge 410 of the ceiling member 400 generally coincide (i.e., overlap) with (w) first longitudinal edge 106, (x) first transverse edge 108, (y) second longitudinal edge 116, and (z) second transverse edge 110, respectively, of the finished structure 150. Fig. 6A and 6B depict a ceiling component 400 of a type 1 structure 151, and fig. 7A and 7B depict a ceiling component 400 of a type 2 structure 152. The basic structure and design of the ceiling member 400 is the same for both the type 1 structure 151 and the type 2 structure 152 and is generally applicable to the structure 150 and is generally applicable to the ceiling member 400 of the structure 150 made in accordance with the present invention.

The length and width of the ceiling member 400 may vary depending on design preference. In the particular embodiment of the type 1 structure 151 shown in fig. 1A and 2A, the ceiling member 400 (along the dimensions of the first and second longitudinal edges 106, 116) is approximately 39 feet (11.89 meters) long (along the dimensions of the first and second longitudinal ceiling edges 406, 416) and approximately 19.5 feet (5.94 meters) wide (along the dimensions of the first and second transverse ceiling edges 408, 410). In the particular embodiment of the type 2 structure 152 shown in fig. 1B and 2B, the ceiling member 400 is square of approximately 19 feet (5.79 meters).

Preferably, the ceiling component 400 uses one of the multi-layer board designs described above with reference to fig. 4A-4D, as described below.

The perimeter of the ceiling member 400 is typically provided with an outer edge reinforcement. As the outer edge stiffener for the embodiment of the ceiling member 400 shown in type 1 structure 151 in fig. 6B and type 2 structure 152 in fig. 7A, a first shoulder beam 435 is located at a first longitudinal ceiling edge 406 of the ceiling member 400, a second shoulder beam 435 (edge up visible in fig. 7B) is located at a second transverse ceiling edge 408 of the ceiling member 400, a third shoulder beam 435 (edge up visible in fig. 7B) is located at a first transverse outer ceiling edge 410 of the ceiling member 400, and a fourth shoulder beam 435 is located at a second longitudinal ceiling edge 416 of the ceiling member 400 (see fig. 6B). In the case of the floor member 400, in addition to protecting the outer edges of the foamed panel material, the outer edge reinforcement provided by the shoulder beams 435 help to resist vertical loads and transfer such loads to the underlying floor by supporting the underlying wall member 200 of the ceiling member 400 and then to the foundation of the finished structure 150. Such outer edge reinforcements may also provide a similar area (below and any above) for securing adjacent enclosures 155.

The outer edge reinforcement provided by the shoulder beams 435 of the ceiling element 400 may be made from one or more of laminated plywood, wood board, C-channel extruded aluminum or steel, or the like. Alternatively, one type of suitable enclosure perimeter structure disclosed in U.S. non-provisional patent application Ser. No. 16/786,202, filed on the same date as the present application and entitled "enclosure perimeter structure" by the same inventors, may be used in addition to or in lieu of the outer edge reinforcement of the type just described for the ceiling component 400. U.S. non-provisional patent application No. 16/786,202, filed on the same date as the present application and entitled "enclosure perimeter structure" filed on even date herewith, is incorporated herein by reference as if fully set forth herein, and specifically includes enclosure perimeter structures such as those described in paragraphs 110-124 thereof and FIGS. 10-12 thereof. Notably, these enclosure perimeter structures may also function as seals to inhibit water ingress and environmental exposure.

Ceiling partition

Each of the type 1 structure 151 and the type 2 structure 152 includes a ceiling portion 400a, 400b, and 400c. Each of the ceiling portions 400a, 400B, and 400c is a planar, generally rectangular structure, with the ceiling portion 400a abutting the ceiling portion 400B and the ceiling portion 400B abutting the ceiling portion 400c, as shown in fig. 6A and 6B.

A ceiling portion 400c.The ceiling portion 400c is generally an example of the configuration of all of the ceiling portions 400a, 400b, and 400c. Referring to the fragment of the ceiling portion 400C shown in fig. 6C, the ceiling portion 400C uses a stacked multi-layer design according to its first embodiment (as shown in fig. 4A) or its second embodiment (as shown in fig. 4B). As referred to herein, the ceiling portion 400c includes a first structural layer 210 of the structural building panel 211, designated as the ceiling floor 404, and a second structural layer 215 of the structural building panel 216, designated as the ceiling roof 402. Between the ceiling top surface 402 and the ceiling bottom surface 404 is a foam panel 214, which is designated as a ceiling foam panel 414. The inner edge 412c of the ceiling member 400c abuts the first inner edge 412B of the ceiling member 400B as shown in fig. 6B and 7A. For inner edge reinforcement, a reinforcement plate 437 is located adjacent to the inner edge 412c.

A ceiling portion 400a.The ceiling portion 400a is shown, for example, in fig. 6B, 6D, and 7A. Which is a mirror image in the design and construction of the ceiling portion 400c. The inner edge 412a of the ceiling portion 400a abuts the second inner edge 412B of the ceiling portion 400B as shown in fig. 6B and 7A. For inner edge reinforcement, a reinforcement plate 437 is located adjacent to the inner edge 412a.

A ceiling portion 400b.The ceiling portion 400B shown in fig. 6B and 7A is identical in overall design and construction to the ceiling portions 400a and 400 c. The first inner edge 412b of the ceiling member 400b abuts the inner edge 412c of the ceiling member 400c and the second inner edge 412b of the ceiling member 400b abuts the inner edge 412a of the ceiling portion 400 a. For inner edge stiffening, the stiffening plate 437 is located adjacent to a first inner edge 412b of the ceiling portion 400b, and the stiffening plate 437 is located adjacent to a second inner edge 412b of the ceiling portion 400b.

The ceiling elements 400 and their constituent elements are typically formed to have a thickness dimension or otherwise accommodate the particular loads to which the ceiling elements 400 may be subjected. A particular embodiment of a ceiling component 400 such as in the type 2 structure 152 shown in fig. 7A and 7B may use a second multi-layer design embodiment (see fig. 4B) of MgO plates 0.25 inches (0.635 cm) thick, a structural building panel 211 for the first structural layer 210/ceiling bottom surface 404, and a structural building panel 216 for the second structural layer 211/ceiling top surface 402, and having an adhesive strip of MgO plates 0.25 inches (0.635 cm) thick and 6 inches (15.24 cm) wide. The foam panel 214/ceiling foam panel 414 may be 7.9 inches (20.07 cm) thick, resulting in a roof member 400 that is approximately 8.4 inches (21.34 cm) thick. Additional structural members, such as joists 420 (a portion of joists 420 being visible in fig. 6D), may be used depending on the particular design of structure 150 to help transfer vertical loads to one or more shoulder beams 435.

Referring to the type 1 structure 151 shown in fig. 6B, the ceiling portion 400a is fixed in position relative to the first portion 200B-1 of the short wall component 200B and relative to the long wall component 200a-R and is connected along the longitudinal inner edge 412a to the longitudinal inner edge 412B of the adjoining ceiling portion 400B by a hinge structure. Such a hinge structure is adapted to allow the ceiling portion 400B to pivot up to 180 degrees (180 °) about the horizontal axis 405a, near the top of the ceiling member 400, between a folded position (the ceiling portion 400B lies flat against the ceiling portion 400 a) and a fully unfolded position shown in fig. 6B.

Further, the ceiling portion 400b is in turn connected to the ceiling portion 400c by a hinge structure where the longitudinal inner edge 412b of the ceiling portion 400b abuts the longitudinal inner edge 412c of the ceiling portion 400c. Such a hinge structure is adapted to allow the ceiling portion 400c to pivot up to 180 degrees (180 °) about a horizontal axis between a folded position (where the ceiling portion 400c lies against the ceiling portion 400B (when the ceiling portion 400B lies against the ceiling portion 400 a)) and a fully unfolded position shown in fig. 6B, located near the bottom of the ceiling member 400.

Also, referring to the type 2 structure 152 shown in FIG. 7A, the ceiling portion 400a is fixed in position relative to the first wall portion 200s-1, the fourth wall portion 200s-4, and the wall component 200 s-R. The ceiling portions 400a, 400b and 400c for the type 2 structure 152 are connected in the same manner as the hinge structure described above with respect to the type 1 structure 151.

The hinge structure connecting the ceiling portions 400a, 400b and 400c may be surface-mounted or recessed and have temporary or permanent properties. Suitable hinge structures may be made of, for example, metal, plastic, leather, iron, or nonferrous metal materials. In addition to protecting the edges of the foamed panel material, the inner edge reinforcement provided by the reinforcement panels 437 of the ceiling sections 400a, 400b and 400c also provides a structure for mounting the hinge structure. The stiffener 437 may be made of one or more of laminated plywood, wood board, C-channel extruded aluminum or steel, or the like, for example.

Fig. 9 illustrates a suitable hinge structure and its associated components, which depicts an exemplary hinge structure connecting ceiling portions 400b and 400 c. In particular, a plurality of double hinges 413 are arranged in line along the horizontal axis 405 b. Dual hinges are preferred to allow the hinge to be recessed below the surface while maintaining the ability to pivot up to 180 degrees (180 °) without causing interference curl between adjacent ceiling portions. These double hinges can be manufactured by: two single hinges are positioned together in abutting relationship, each along their respective one of the leaves, and welded to form one double hinge 413.

As shown in fig. 9, each free leaf of the double hinge 413 is fixed to the reinforcing plate 437, respectively. As shown in fig. 9, each stiffener 437 is positioned against the exterior of the web of C-channel rail 308 (made of cold formed steel), each of the C-channel rails 308 in turn being secured to a respective adjacent edge of roof sections 400b and 400C. The same hinge structure may be used to secure the ceiling portions 400a and 400B together, while rotated 180 degrees and aligned along the horizontal axis 405a, as shown in fig. 3A and 3B, allowing the ceiling portions 400B and 400c to fold into an accordion-like pattern.

As a further alternative to the hinge structure shown in FIG. 9, a suitable hinge structure is disclosed in U.S. non-provisional patent application Ser. No. 16/786,202, filed on the same date as the present application and entitled "building enclosure perimeter Structure". U.S. non-provisional patent application No. 16/786,202, filed on the same date as the present application and entitled "enclosure perimeter structure", the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference, as if fully set forth herein, specifically includes hinge structures such as those described in paragraphs 125-157 thereof and FIGS. 13A-15 thereof, and more specifically hinge structures such as those described in paragraphs 136-146 thereof and FIGS. 14A-14F thereof. As described above, these hinge structures may be used in addition to or in place of the inner edge reinforcement provided by the ceiling portions 400a, 400b, and 400c, and may also function as a seal to inhibit water ingress and environmental exposure.

Ceiling groove

Each of the ceiling portions 400a, 400b, and 400c may be provided with a ceiling groove. As described below, the ceiling slots 219 communicate with the utility service system 460 and the wall slots 219.

Fig. 7D is a plan view of a ceiling 400 of the type 2 structure 152, which is cut away to show a particular embodiment of a ceiling trough structure. Although shown for type 2 structure 152, ceiling slots 219 may also be used in type 1 structure 151, or in any other structure 150 made in accordance with the present invention.

As shown in fig. 7D, a first plurality of elongated cylindrical channels are provided, the ceiling slots 440 being spaced at regular intervals throughout the distance between the first and second lateral ceiling edges 408, 410, and being arranged in a first direction substantially parallel to the first and second lateral ceiling edges 408, 410 and to each other. Each such ceiling slot 440 spans the distance between the shoulder beams 435 located adjacent the first longitudinal ceiling edge 406 and the second longitudinal ceiling edge 416, respectively. A second plurality of ceiling slots 440 are also provided, spaced at regular intervals throughout the distance between the first and second longitudinal edges 406, 416, and arranged in a second direction that is substantially perpendicular to the first direction and substantially parallel to the first and second longitudinal ceiling edges 406, 416 and to each other. Each such ceiling slot 440 spans the distance between the shoulder beams 435 located adjacent the first and second lateral ceiling edges 408, 410, respectively. The first plurality of spaced apart ceiling slots and the second plurality of spaced apart ceiling slots respectively form a ceiling grid of slots. The provision of the ceiling slots 440 facilitates routing utility lines (such as for power, lighting control, HVAC control, security systems, including energizing and communicating with smoke or thermal sensors, etc.) to locations on the ceiling member 400 remote from the wall member 200. As shown, when the ceiling portions 400b and 400c are deployed to form the complete ceiling member 400, the ceiling segments in the ceiling portions 400a, 400b and 400c are aligned to communicate.

Preferably, each ceiling slot 219 has a diameter sufficient to install a utility line; for example, about 1 to 2 inches (2.54 to 5.08 cm) in diameter. The wall channels 207 and 219 may be formed in the ceiling foam panel 414 by using round hot wires that are suitably positioned and moved into the foam panel below the panel surface, typically in the same manner as described above.

The ceiling slots 219 communicate with a utility service system 460 located in the ceiling member 400, as described below.

Public service system (460)

As shown in fig. 6A-7E, two embodiments of a utility service system 460 in a ceiling element 400 are provided.

The purpose of utility service system 460 is to provide a recessed channel in finished structure 150 through which utility lines may be conveniently routed and connected. In general, the utility service system 460 includes one or more channels, preferably in a closed loop, located around the entire perimeter of the ceiling element 400; that is, the first and second longitudinal outer ceiling edges 406 and 416 that are proximate or near the ceiling member 400, and the first and second transverse ceiling edges 408 and 410 that are proximate or near the ceiling member 400. Accordingly, in each of the ceiling sections 400a, 400b, and 400c, structure defining the utility service system 460 is generally provided adjacent to the shoulder beams 435 included in those ceiling sections.

The utility service system 460 is adapted to contain utility lines (such as for power, lighting control, HVAC control, security systems, including energizing and communicating with smoke or thermal sensors, etc.). As shown, when the ceiling sections are unfolded to form the complete ceiling member 400, the segments of the utility service system 460 in the ceiling sections 400a, 400b, and 400c are aligned to communicate with each other. In the case where members such as joists 420 (a portion of joists 420 is visible in fig. 6D as previously described) and/or inner edge reinforcement (such as reinforcing plates 437) are used in any of the ceiling sections 400a, 400b and 400c, access holes 422 (visible in fig. 6D) may be provided in the portion spanning the utility service system 460 so that the utility line passes freely through those joists and/or reinforcing plates 437 and around the entire perimeter of the utility service system 460.

Two embodiments of the utility service system 460 described herein are a first longitudinal ceiling edge 406 and a second longitudinal ceiling edge 416461 and an in-situ utility conduit 471. While the first longitudinal ceiling edge 406 and the second longitudinal ceiling edge 416461 are depicted in the type 1 structure 151 and the in-situ utility conduit 471 is depicted in the type 2 structure 152, any of these utility systems 460 may be used in other types of structures or in any other structure made in accordance with the present invention.

Component type public channel (461)

As shown in fig. 6A to 6E, the member-type common passage 461 is a three-sided cavity formed at the lower side of the ceiling member 400 and having an outer edge, an inner edge, and a top. As described above, the component utility channel 461 preferably forms a closed loop that is located around the entire perimeter of the ceiling member 400.

Referring particularly to fig. 6C, the outer edges of the combined utility channel 461 are defined by shoulder beams 435, the inner edges of the channel 461 are defined by channel closure plates 467, and the top of the utility channel 461 is defined by channel top surface 462. Channel closing plate 467 may be made, for example, from one or more laminated plywood, wood, C-channel extruded aluminum or steel, etc., and channel top surface 462 may be made, for example, from a magnesium oxide plate having a thickness of about 0.5 inches (27 cm). Preferably, the width of the established utility tunnel 461 is sufficient to allow reasonable access for construction and maintenance personnel.

In the ceiling sections 400a, 400b and 400c, a first plurality of holes, designated as horizontal channel connectors 438, are provided at regular intervals along the inner surface of each shoulder beam 435. The horizontal channel connector 438 may pass completely through the shoulder beam 435 or alternatively and preferably terminate within the shoulder beam 435 (as shown in fig. 6C) to form a cavity within the shoulder beam 435. As shown in fig. 6C, a second plurality of holes, designated vertical channel connectors 439, are additionally provided at spaced intervals along the bottom surface of each shoulder beam 435. Each vertical channel connector 439 opens into and communicates with a corresponding horizontal channel connector 438 to provide a channel from below its bottom surface through the shoulder beams 435 and out from its inner face.

The vertical channel connector 439 is positioned in alignment with the through hole 209 in the wall component 200 supporting the shoulder beams 435 to provide a channel for routing utility lines from within the utility channel 461 into the wall slot 219 of the wall component 200 and further into the floor slot 319 of the floor component 300 as desired, as described below. The horizontal channel connector 438, the vertical channel connector 439, the through holes 209, and the wall slots 219 may all be spaced at uniform intervals, such as at intervals of about 29 inches (73.7 cm).

The component utility tunnel 461 may have a plurality of removable tunnel cover plates 464 that are serially adjoined, as shown in fig. 6E, which preferably cover the entire component utility tunnel 461. The access cover 464 conceals the utility lines contained therein and optionally includes lighting dimming to enhance interior space, such as the plurality of light sources 466 shown in fig. 6E.

In-situ utility tunnel (471)

As shown in fig. 7A-7E, the utility service system 460 may also be formed in situ in the ceiling foam panel 414. Referring to fig. 7A, for example, shown in a cross-section of a ceiling member 400 comprising a plurality of ceiling foam panels 414 a. As shown, two in-situ utility channels 471 are provided in the foam panel 414a, each channel being substantially circular in cross-section to define two closed loops of generally parallel cylindrical channels located about the entire periphery of the ceiling member 400, proximate the shoulder beams 435 in the ceiling member 400.

Each common channel 471 can be formed by using a circular hot wire that is properly positioned and moved into the foam panel 414a below the plate surface, generally in the same manner as described above with respect to the connecting wall slot 207 and vertical wall slot 219. Each utility channel 471 should have a diameter sufficient to allow installation of a utility line; for example, about 4 inches (10.16 cm) in diameter.

As shown in fig. 7C, each ceiling slot 440 passes through all or substantially all of the ceiling member 400 between two opposing shoulder beams 435. Each ceiling slot 440 communicates with each of the two common channels 471 at two points (one on each side of the ceiling member 400 near those shoulder beams 435), thereby providing a common wiring path between each ceiling slot 440 and the common channel 471. Near the periphery of the ceiling member 400, each ceiling slot 440 intersects and communicates with a vertically oriented cylindrical channel ceiling slot connector 472, which in turn communicates with a corresponding wall slot 219 through a through hole 209 in the ceiling slat 240 of the wall member 200. Although each ceiling slot connector 472 is shown in fig. 7C as abutting, it is formed outside of the material of the shoulder beams 435 (in the foam panel 414), it may also be located within the material of the shoulder beams 435 in the manner of the horizontal channel connector 438 and the vertical channel connector 439 as shown in fig. 6C and 6D, as needed or desired. Thus, the foregoing arrangement provides a common wiring into the wall slots 219 for each common channel 471.

As shown in fig. 7C to 7E, a plurality of passage entrance holes 473 are provided near the intersection of each ceiling slot 440 and the common passage 471 for the service facilities to enter the common passage 471. Preferably, the size of the access aperture 473 is sufficient to allow reasonable access by construction and service personnel; for example, each passage entrance aperture 473 may have a rectangular configuration with a width of approximately 14.5 inches (36.8 cm) and a length of 8.0 inches (20.3 cm). As shown in fig. 7E, each channel access aperture 473 may be covered by a removable channel access plate 474.

Public service system usage

As an example of a utility line that may be installed in utility service system 460, fig. 6E schematically depicts a two-wire electrical circuit 208 installed in a combined utility channel 461, and fig. 6A depicts four preselected wall slots 219a, 219b, 219c, and 219d in wall component 200 of finished structure 150. One or more cutouts 276 are formed in communication with the wall slots 219a-d, the junction box is properly placed in the cutouts 276, and the slots are routed and connected to the circuit 208. Holes for electrical sockets, switches, lighting, etc. may be cut into and through the inner protective layer 282, the first structural layer 210, the first woven fibrous layer 213-1, and in the foam panel 214 to form cuts 276 to the wall slots 219. In a comparable manner, similar holes for cutouts may be formed in the ceiling member 400 to communicate with the ceiling slots 219. This arrangement provides access to electrical services at multiple points across the wall member 200 and the ceiling member 400. The routing and connection operations are preferably performed after the structure 150 is delivered and deployed, while other operations may be performed before or after delivery.

Floor part (300)

Typically, the finished structure 150 will use one flooring component 300; thus, the flooring component 300 is typically the complete floor of the finished structure 150. The floor member 300 has a substantially rectangular periphery. Fig. 6A-6B and 7A-7B depict a flooring component 300 according to the present invention. The first longitudinal floor edge 117, the first lateral floor edge 120, the second longitudinal floor edge 119, and the second lateral floor edge 118 define the perimeter of the floor member 300. In particular, (a) a first longitudinal floor edge 117, (b) a first transverse floor edge 120, (c) a second longitudinal floor edge 119, and (d) a second transverse floor edge 118 generally coincide with (i.e., are below) the (w) first longitudinal edge 106, (x) a first transverse edge 108, (y) a second longitudinal edge 116, and (z) a second transverse edge 110, respectively, of the finished structure 150. Fig. 6A and 6B depict a flooring component 300 for a type 1 structure 151, and fig. 7A and 7B depict a flooring component 300 for a type 2 structure 152. The basic structure of the flooring component 300 is the same for both the type 1 structure 151 and the type 2 structure 152, and is generally applicable to the flooring component 300 of the structure 150 made in accordance with the present invention.

The length and width of the flooring component 300 may vary depending on design preference. In the particular embodiment of the type 1 structure 151 shown in fig. 1A and 2A, wherein the wall members 200a, 200b are oriented vertically, the length and width of the ceiling member 400 approximates the length and width of the ceiling member 400 of the type 1 structure. Similarly, in the particular embodiment of the type 2 structure 152 shown in fig. 1B and 2B, where the wall members 200s are oriented vertically, the length and width of the ceiling member 400 approximates the length and width of the ceiling member 400 for the type 2 structure.

Preferably, the flooring component 300 uses one of the multi-layer laminate designs described above with reference to fig. 4A-4D, as described below.

The perimeter of each floor member 300 is typically provided with an outer edge reinforcement. As the outer edge reinforcement of the embodiment of the flooring component 300 shown in fig. 7A and 7B, a first bottom beam 320 (edge up visible in fig. 7A) is located at the first longitudinal flooring edge 117 of the flooring component 300, a second bottom beam 320 (edge up visible in fig. 7B) is located at the second lateral flooring edge 118 of the flooring component 300, a third bottom beam 320 (edge up visible in fig. 7B) is located at the first lateral flooring edge 120 of the flooring component 300, and a fourth bottom beam 320 is located at the second longitudinal flooring edge 119 (edge up visible in fig. 7A) of the flooring component 300. In the case of the floor element 300, the edge reinforcement provided by the bottom beams 320, in addition to protecting the edges of the foamed panel material, also helps to resist vertical loads and transfer such loads to any ceiling element 400 below it, and then to the wall element 200 below, and/or the foundation of the final structure 150.

The outer edge reinforcement provided by the bottom beams 420 of the floor member 300 may be made of one or more of laminated plywood, wood board, C-channel extruded aluminum or steel, or the like. Alternatively, one type of suitable enclosure perimeter structure disclosed in U.S. non-provisional patent application Ser. No. 16/786,202, filed on the same date as the present application and entitled "enclosure perimeter structure" by the same inventors, may be used in addition to or in lieu of the outer edge reinforcement of the type just described for floor component 300. U.S. non-provisional patent application No. 16/786,202, filed on the same date as the present application and entitled "enclosure perimeter structure" filed on even date herewith, is incorporated herein by reference as if fully set forth herein, and specifically includes enclosure perimeter structures such as those described in paragraphs 110-124 thereof and FIGS. 10-12 thereof. Notably, these enclosure perimeter structures may also function as seals to inhibit water ingress and environmental exposure.

Floor separation

The flooring component 300 in the type 1 structure 151 and the type 2 structure 152 includes a flooring portion 300a and a flooring portion 300b. Each of the floor sections 300a and 300B is a planar, generally rectangular structure, with the floor section 300a abutting the floor section 300B, as shown in fig. 6A, 6B and 7A.

A floor portion 300a.As shown in fig. 6A, 6B and 7A, the floor portion 300A is generally an example of the configuration of the floor portions 300A and 300B, and as shown, a laminated multilayer design according to the first embodiment or the second embodiment shown in fig. 4A and 4B, respectively, is generally used. As referred to herein, the floor portion 300a includes a first structural layer 210 (designated as floor bottom surface 304) of the structural building panel 211 and a second structural layer 215 (designated as floor top surface 302) of the structural building panel 216. Between the floor top surface 302 and the floor bottom surface 304 is a foam panel 214 (designated floor foam panel 314). The inner edge 301a of the floor portion 300a abuts the inner edge 301b of the floor portion 300b, as shown in fig. 7A. As an inner edge reinforcement, the reinforcement plate 307 is positioned adjacent the inner edge 301 a.

Floor portion 300b.The floor portion 300B is shown, for example, in fig. 6A, 6B, and 7A. The overall design and construction of the floor section 300b is the same as that of the floor section 300a. The inner edge 301b of the floor portion 300b abuts the inner edge 301a of the floor portion 300a, as shown in fig. 7A. As an inner edge reinforcement, the reinforcement plate 307 is positioned adjacent the inner edge 301 b.

The floor component 300 and its constituent elements are typically formed to have a thickness dimension or otherwise accommodate the particular loads to which the floor component 300 may be subjected. The particular embodiment of a flooring component 300 for a type 2 structure 152, such as that shown in fig. 7A and 7B, may use a second multi-layer design embodiment (see fig. 4B) of 0.25 inch (0.635 cm) thick MgO sheet for the structural building panel 211 of the first structural layer 210/floor bottom surface 304, and a 0.5 inch (27 cm) thick MgO sheet for the structural building panel 216 of the second structural layer 211/floor top surface 302. Accordingly, in certain embodiments, a 0.25 inch (0.635 cm) thick, 6 inch (15.24 cm) wide MgO sheet adhesive strip is used to join the structural building panels 211 of the first structural layer 210/floor bottom surface 304 together, and a 0.5 inch (1.27 cm) thick, 6 inch (15.24 cm) wide MgO sheet adhesive strip is used to join the structural building panels 216 of the second structural layer 211/floor top surface 302 together. The foam panel 214/floor foam panel 314 may be 11.25 inches (28.575 cm) thick, resulting in a floor member 300 that is approximately 12 inches (30.48 cm) thick.

The floor section 300b including the floor member 300 may be folded so as to form a compact shipping module. Each of type 1 structure 151 and type 2 structure 152 includes such floor sections.

Referring to the type 1 structure 151 shown in fig. 6B, the floor portion 300a is fixed in position relative to the first wall portion 200B-1 of the short wall member 200B and relative to the long wall member 200a-R, and is connected to the floor portion 300B by a hinge structure so as to allow the floor portion 300B to pivot about a horizontal axis 305 through about 90 degrees (90 °), located near the floor top surface 302, between a folded position (in which the floor portion 300B is oriented generally vertically as shown in fig. 3A) and a fully unfolded position shown in fig. 6A and 6B.

Referring also to the type 2 structure 152 shown in fig. 7A, the floor portion 300a is fixed in position relative to the first wall portion 200s-1, the fourth wall portion 200s-4, and the wall component 200 s-R. The manner in which the floor portion 300a is connected to the floor portion 300b by the hinge structure is the same as described above with respect to the type 1 structure 151.

The hinge structure connecting the floor sections 300a and 300b may be surface mounted or recessed and have temporary or permanent properties. Suitable hinge structures may be made of, for example, metal, plastic, leather, iron, or nonferrous metal materials. Fig. 8 depicts an example of a suitable hinge structure and its associated components. In particular, a plurality of steel hinges 306 (e.g., about 3 inches (7.62 cm) wide and about 6 inches (15.24 cm) long) are aligned along a horizontal axis 305 with the edges facing upward as shown in fig. 8. Such hinges are commercially available from McMaster-Carr corporation of douglas wilfordii, georgia, usa. The hinge structures connecting the floor sections 300a and 300b need not be double hinges, as they need only pivot about 90 degrees (90 °), and thus the likelihood of interference curl is less than that associated with the ceiling section of the ceiling member 400.

As shown in fig. 8, the opposite blades of the hinge 306 are fixed to the inner edge reinforcing plates 307 provided at each of the inner edges 301a and 301b, respectively. The reinforcing plate 307 in fig. 8 is made of laminated plywood. As shown in fig. 8, each stiffener 307 is positioned against the exterior of the web of C-channel rails 308 (made of cold formed steel), each of the C-channel rails 308 in turn being secured to a respective adjoining edge of floor sections 200a and 200 b.

Alternatively, a suitable hinge structure for connecting floor sections 300a and 300b is disclosed in U.S. non-provisional patent application No. 16/786,202, filed on the same date as the present application and entitled "building enclosure perimeter Structure" by the same inventors. U.S. non-provisional patent application No. 16/786,202, filed on the same date as the present application and entitled "enclosure perimeter structure", the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference, as if fully set forth herein, specifically includes hinge structures such as those described in paragraphs 125-157 thereof and FIGS. 13A-15 thereof, and more specifically hinge structures such as those described in paragraphs 125-135 thereof and FIGS. 13A-13F thereof. As described above, these hinge structures may be used in addition to or in place of the inner edge reinforcement, and may also function as seals to inhibit water ingress and environmental exposure.

Baseboard and peripheral board

The outer edge of the floor member 300, or a portion thereof, such as the outer edge of the floor portion 300b positioned along the first longitudinal edge 106 of the finished structure 150, may be provided with a baseboard 310. In a type 1 structure 151 such as shown in fig. 3A, a baseboard 310 is shown secured edge-wise to the outer edge of a floor portion 300 b. When the baseboard 310 extends around the perimeter of the floor component 300, it is referred to as a perimeter board 312. The type 2 structure 152, such as shown in fig. 1B and 3B, uses a perimeter plate 312. Preferably, the vertical dimension (height) of the baseboard 310 (including the peripheral board 312) is greater than the thickness of the floor member 300.

Floor groove

Optionally, the floor foam panel 314 in the floor member 300 may be provided with floor slots 319.

Fig. 7F provides a floor member 300, the floor member 300 being segmented to show an exemplary floor tub arrangement. Although a flooring component 300 of type 2 construction 152 is shown in fig. 7F, the flooring channel 319 may also be used in a flooring component 300 of type 1 construction 151, or in a flooring component 300 of any other construction 150 made in accordance with the present invention.

As shown in fig. 7F, a first plurality of elongated cylindrical channels (floor slots 319) are provided that are spaced apart at regular intervals throughout the distance between the first and second lateral floor edges 120, 118 and are arranged in a first direction that is generally parallel to the first and second lateral floor edges 120, 118 and parallel to one another. Each of such floor slots 319 spans the distance between bottom beams 320 located adjacent to the first longitudinal floor edge 117 and the second longitudinal floor edge 119, respectively. A second plurality of floor slots 319 are also provided, spaced at regular intervals throughout the distance between the first longitudinal floor edge 117 and the second longitudinal floor edge 119, and arranged in a second direction generally perpendicular to the first direction and generally parallel to the first longitudinal floor edge 117 and the second longitudinal floor edge 119, and parallel to each other. Each of such floor slots 319 spans the distance between bottom beams 320 located adjacent to the first and second lateral floor edges 120, 118, respectively. Thus, the first plurality of spaced apart floor slots and the second plurality of spaced apart floor slots 319 form a grid of floor slots. The provision of the floor slots 319 facilitates routing of utility lines (such as for power, lighting control, HVAC control, security systems, etc.) to locations on the floor member 300 remote from the wall member 200. When the floor sections 300a and 300b are fully deployed to form the complete floor member 300, the floor groove segments in the two floor sections of the floor member 300 are aligned to communicate.

Preferably, each floor slot 319 has a diameter sufficient to install a utility line; for example, about 1 to 2 inches (2.54 to 5.08 cm) in diameter. If one or more floor channels 319 are desired for grey or black water drainage, these are preferably suitably sloped and have a diameter suitable for containing the drained grey or black water, such as greater than about 4 inches (10.16 cm), for example about 6 inches (15.24 cm). Floor slots 319 can be formed in floor foam panel 314 by using round hot wires that are suitably positioned and moved into the foam panel below the panel surface, typically in the same manner as the wall slots described above.

Preferably, the floor slots 319 are positioned to align with and communicate with the wall slots 219 in the wall component 200. Thus, for example, if the wall channels 219 are spaced about 29 inches (73.7 cm) apart, then the floor channels are preferably also spaced about 29 inches (73.7 cm) apart. In the manner shown in fig. 7A-7B, each floor slot 319 intersects and communicates with a vertically oriented access floor slot connector 372, which access floor slot connector 372 in turn communicates with a corresponding wall slot 219 through a through hole 291 in the floor slat 220 of the wall component 200. Thus, this arrangement provides each floor trough 319 with utility line routing access to the corresponding wall trough 219, and thus to the utility service system 460 (in the particular embodiment shown, the in-situ channel 471) and the ceiling trough 440. In a manner similar to that described above with respect to wall slots 219, holes for cutouts may be formed in floor member 300 to communicate with floor slots 319 to provide access to electrical services at a large number of locations through floor member 200, for example.

Enclosure relationship and assembly for transportation

For ease of transportation and maximum design flexibility, it is preferred that there be a specific dimensional relationship between enclosures 155.

Fig. 2A shows a top view of the type 1 structure 151 shown in fig. 1A and includes geometrically orthogonal grids to clearly explain the preferred dimensional relationship between enclosures 155. In fig. 2A, the basic length for sizing is denoted as "E"; in fig. 2A, superimposed orthogonal grids are long 24E, wide 12E, and show the relative dimensions of the components.

More particularly, in fig. 2A, two long wall members 200a are about 24E long and two short wall members 200b are about 12E long. Each of the ceiling portions 400a, 400b, and 400c is 24E long and 4E wide. Two floor sections 300a and 300b of type 1 structure 151 are shown in fig. 2A and 3A. Each floor member 300a and 300b is 24E long; while floor element 300a is approximately 4E wide and floor element 300b is approximately 8E wide.

The shipping module 100 for a type 1 structure 151 shown in fig. 3A is oriented with its edges up and generally includes a fixed space portion 102 defined by two first wall portions 200b-1 of a ceiling member 400a, a floor member 300a, a long wall member 200a-R, and a short wall member 200 b. As shown in fig. 2A, the remaining two portions of the short wall section 200b (i.e., the second wall section 200 b-2) are folded inwardly and positioned against the fixed space section 102 (when so folded and positioned, identified as wall sections 200b-2f in fig. 2A). Three ceiling sections 400a, 400b and 400c of the type 1 structure 151 are shown deployed in fig. 1A. Fig. 3A, a shipping module 100 for a type 1 structure 151 shows ceiling members 400b and 400c stacked on top of a ceiling member 400a, the ceiling member 400a partially defining the fixed space portion 102. As shown in fig. 2A-3A, the long wall parts 200a-P are pivotally secured to the floor portion 300b at the location of the horizontal axis 105 and positioned vertically against the outside of the second wall portion 200 b-2. Further, the floor portion 300b is vertically positioned adjacent to the fixed space portion 102, while the long wall parts 200a-P are suspended (i.e., hung) from the floor portion 300b, interposed between the floor portion 300b and the second wall portion 200 b-2.

As shown, the enclosures 155 of the type 1 structure 151 are sized according to the dimensional relationships disclosed above, resulting in a compact shipping module 100. Thus, when sized using the "E" dimensions (see FIG. 2A) (about 19.5 inches (49.5 cm)) in accordance with the relationships disclosed herein, and when its components are stacked and positioned as shown in FIG. 3A, the shipping module 100 has an overall length of about 39 feet (11.89 meters), an overall width of about 8.5 feet (2.59 meters), and an overall height of about 12.7 feet (3.87 meters). These overall dimensions are substantially the same as or smaller than typical shipping containers.

Similarly, FIG. 2B shows a top view of the type 2 finished structure 152 shown in FIG. 1B and includes geometrically orthogonal grids to clearly explain the preferred dimensional relationship between its enclosures 155. The basic length for sizing is denoted "E" in FIG. 2B; the superimposed orthogonal grids in fig. 2B are approximately 8E long and 8E.

More particularly, in fig. 2B, four wall parts 200s are about 8E long and each of the ceiling portions 400a, 400B, and 400c is about 8E long and 2.67E wide. Two floor sections 300a and 300B of the finished structure 152 are shown in fig. 2B and 3B. Each of the floor members 300a and 300b is 8H long; while floor element 300a is approximately 3E wide and floor element 300b is approximately 5E wide.

The shipping module 100 for type 2 structures 152 shown in fig. 3B with the edges facing upward also generally includes a fixed space portion 102 defined by a ceiling member 400a, a floor member 300a, a wall member 200s-r, a wall portion 200s-1, and a wall portion 200 s-4. As shown in FIG. 2B, the second wall portion 200s-2 is folded inwardly and positioned generally against the fixed space portion 102, while the third wall portion 200s-3 is folded outwardly and positioned generally against the second wall portion 200s-2 (when so folded and positioned, the wall portions 200s-2 and 200s-3 are represented in FIG. 2B as portions 200s-2f and 200s-3f, respectively); to form an accordion fold having the fixed space portion 102, the second wall portion 200s-2 and the third wall portion 200s-3 as its elements. The fifth wall portion 200s-5 is folded inwardly and positioned generally against the fixed space portion 102 (when so folded and positioned, shown as wall portions 200s-5f in fig. 2B). Three ceiling components 400a, 400B, and 400c are shown deployed in fig. 1B. Fig. 3B (shipping module 100 for type 2 structure 152) shows ceiling members 400B and 400c stacked on top of ceiling member 400a partially defining fixed space portion 102. As shown in fig. 2B and 3B, wall parts 200s-P are pivotally secured to floor portion 300B at the location of axis 105 and are positioned vertically against the outside of wall parts 200s-3 and 200 s-5. Further, the floor portion 300b is vertically positioned adjacent to the fixed space portion 102, and the long wall part 200s-P is suspended from the floor portion 300b, between the floor portion 300b and the wall parts 200s-3 and 200 s-5.

As shown, the enclosures 155 of the type 2 structure 152 are sized according to the dimensional relationships disclosed above, resulting in a compact shipping module 100. Thus, when the "E" dimension (see FIG. 2B) (about 29 inches (73.7 cm)) is used to determine the dimensions in accordance with the relationships disclosed herein, and when its components are stacked and positioned as shown in FIG. 3A, the shipping module 100 shown in FIG. 3B has a total length of about 19 feet (5.79 meters), a total width of about 8.5 feet (2.59 meters), and a total height of about 12.7 feet (3.87 meters). These overall dimensions are smaller than typical shipping containers.

The mentioned geometric orthogonal grid also provides a useful reference point for placement of the floor slots 319, wall slots 219, and ceiling slots 440. When such slots are placed at a specific "E" spacing, for example, which corresponds to the grid spacing used, they are easily positioned during structural finishing.

Preferably, the fixed space portion 102 is in a relatively finished state prior to positioning (folding) all other of the wall, ceiling and floor portions. That is, the fixed space portion 102 is preferably assembled with all of the mechanical and other functions required of the structure 150 during manufacturing, such as a kitchen, bathroom, laundry, HVAC cabinet, fireplace, wardrobe, storage area, hallway, and the like. Temporary member 103 (as shown in fig. 3A) provides support during shipment of type 1 structure 151 and is removed after delivery (no comparable temporary member is used for shipment of type 2 structure 152). Preferably, after the fixed space portion 102 is completed to the desired state, the remaining components are folded and positioned against the fixed space portion 102 as described above. The thus folded and positioned components actually allow a constructor to erect the finished structure 150 by simply "unfolding" the positioning components (unfolding) of the shipping module 100.

As shown by the long wall member 200a in fig. 5A, each of the wall member 200, floor member 300, and ceiling member 400, and/or portions thereof, may be encased in a protective film 177 during manufacturing and prior to forming the shipping module 100. Alternatively or additionally, the entire shipping module 100 may be encased in a protective membrane. Thus, these protective films constitute means for protecting the shipping module 100 and components 200, 300, and 400 during shipment. In addition to protecting the module and its components, such protective films have the added advantage of increasing the resistance of the components to bending and torsional stresses that may occur during transportation of the components. These protective films constitute additional means for rigidifying the wall component 200 to increase its robustness during transportation and erection of the structure at the construction site. Preferably, such protective films remain in place until the shipping module 100 arrives at the construction site and are then removed as needed to facilitate deployment and finishing of the enclosure.

Shipping module transport

The shipping module is transported to the construction site by suitable transportation means. One such transportation device is disclosed in U.S. patent application publication No. US 2019/0100127A1 and international publication No. WO2019/070485A1 filed on 9/21 in 2018; the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference as if fully set forth herein, particularly as set forth in paragraphs 0020-0035 and figures 1A-2D thereof. As another alternative transport means, the shipping module 100 may be transported to the building site by means of a conventional truck trailer or low bed trailer (also known as a low body trailer).

Structural deployment and finishing

At the construction site, the shipping module 100 is positioned in its desired location, such as on a prepared foundation; such as poured concrete slabs, poured concrete or clinker block foundations, sleeper beams or concrete columns or columns. This may be accomplished by using a crane to either lift the shipping module 100 from its transporter and move it to a desired location, or by positioning the transporter in a desired location, lifting the shipping module 100, then moving the transporter from the desired location, and then lowering the shipping module 100 to a resting state at the desired location. Particularly suitable apparatus and techniques for facilitating positioning of the shipping module 100 at a desired location are disclosed in U.S. non-provisional patent application No. 16/786,315 entitled "apparatus and method for erecting a transportable folding building structure" filed on the same day as the present application and filed by the same inventor; the contents of U.S. non-provisional patent application No. 16/786,315, entitled "apparatus and method for erecting a transportable folding building construction" filed on the same date as the present application and entitled "apparatus and method for erecting a transportable folding building construction" are incorporated herein by reference as if fully set forth herein, specifically includes the apparatus and techniques described, for example, in paragraphs 126-128 in conjunction with FIGS. 11A and 11B thereof.

After the shipping module 100 is positioned at the construction site, the appropriate portions of the wall 200, floor 300, and ceiling members 400 are "deployed" (i.e., deployed) to produce the completed structure 150.

For type 1 structure 151, deployment (enclosure and part-deployment) occurs in the following order: (1) floor portion 300b pivots about horizontal axis 305 shown in fig. 3A to a deployed position, (2) wall components 200a-P pivot about horizontal axis 105 shown in fig. 3A to a deployed position, (3) wall portion 200b-2 of short wall member 200b pivots about vertical axis 191 shown in fig. 2A to a deployed position, and (4) ceiling portions 400b and 400c pivot about horizontal axes 405a and 405b, respectively, to their deployed positions.

For type 2 structure 152, the unfolding proceeds in the following order: (1) floor portion 300B pivots about horizontal axis 305 shown in fig. 3B to the deployed position, (2) wall component 200s-P pivots about horizontal axis 105 (behind perimeter plate 312) shown in fig. 3B to the deployed position, (3) wall portion wall portions 200s-2, 200s-3, and 200s-5 pivot about vertical axes 192, 193, and 194, respectively, to the deployed position, and (4) ceiling portions 400B and 400c pivot about horizontal axes 405a and 405B, respectively, to the deployed position. A mobile crane may be used to assist in the deployment of certain enclosures 155, in particular, ceiling portions 400b and 400c, floor portion 300b, and wall member 200 pivotally secured to floor portion 300b (200 a-P for type 1 structure 151, 200s-P for type 2 structure 152). Alternatively, particularly suitable apparatus and techniques for facilitating deployment of enclosure 155 are disclosed in U.S. non-provisional patent application No. 16/786315 entitled "apparatus and method for erecting a transportable folding building structure" filed on the same day as the present application and filed by the same inventors. The content of U.S. non-provisional patent application No. 16/786,315, entitled "apparatus and method for erecting a transportable folding building construction" filed on the same date as the present application and filed on the same date herewith, specifically includes the apparatus and techniques described, for example, in paragraphs 132-145 and FIGS. 12A-14B, as fully set forth herein.

Notably, the baseboard 310 in place acts as a "stop" to prevent the wall component or wall portion from expanding in its intended deployment position. Thus, for example, when the long walls 200a-P are fully deployed in their desired vertical positions, the dado panel 310 in FIG. 3A, which illustrates the type 1 structure 151, prevents the deployment of the long walls 200a-P shown in the figures. Similarly, the perimeter plate 312 of the type 2 structure 152 is depicted in FIG. 3B as performing a similar function with respect to the wall 200s-P and with respect to the wall portions 200s-2, 200s-3, and 200 s-5. Furthermore, the baseboard 310 provides a structure for securing the deployed wall component in its deployed position; thus, for example, in fig. 6A, a baseboard 310 having a plurality of spaced apart holes 311 is provided, through which holes 311 fasteners can be inserted to secure the long wall 200a in place.

After deployment, the enclosures 155 are secured together to form the finished structure 150, as shown in fig. 1A and 1B. If any temporary hinge mechanisms have been used, these may be removed and the enclosures 155 may be secured together if desired. If certain enclosure perimeter structures disclosed in U.S. non-provisional patent application Ser. No. 16/786,202, filed on the same day as the present application and entitled "enclosure perimeter structures" by the same inventors, are used, particularly those described, for example, in paragraphs 121-157 and FIGS. 12-15, certain finishing operations are preferably performed on such structures, as described therein. U.S. non-provisional patent application No. 16/786,202, filed on the same date as the present application and entitled "enclosure perimeter structure", the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference, as if fully set forth herein, specifically includes finishing operations performed with respect to the enclosure perimeter structure, such as described in paragraphs 179-182 and figures 13C, 13F, 14C, 14E, 15 and 17 thereof.

After the enclosure 155 is deployed and secured, one or more preselected slots are located in the wall member 200 (connecting wall slots 207 and vertical wall slots 219), in the floor member 300 (floor slots 319) and in the ceiling member 400 (ceiling slots 440), appropriate utility lines in the utility channel 460, such as the electrical circuit 208 described above, can be routed and connected, in turn, to the overhead access line of the electrical utility, thereby energizing the finished structure 150 for power.

Before, during or after the enclosure 155 is deployed and secured, holes 202, 204 for one or more doors and windows are cut at desired locations in the wall member 200, as desired, and appropriate door and window assemblies are positioned and secured in the holes 202, 204. Additional municipal connections are made to the water and sewer lines to complete the structure 150 as described herein.

Building construction options

As described above, any number of structures 150 may be positioned together at desired locations to create a variety of different structural configurations. An inner escalator for such a multilayer structure may be provided in the fixed space portion 102 during manufacture while inserting a suitable access hole in the ceiling member 400, or may be added after erection. Similarly, pitched roofs and other building attachments may be transported separately from the shipping module 100 or manufactured in situ and positioned on the ceiling component 400 of the finished structure 150.

For example, two or more finished structures 150 may be erected such that the wall component 200 of one structure is adjacent to the wall component 200 of another structure. The builder may then cut small holes in these juxtaposed areas to connect the two structures, as a matter of purchaser design choice. As an example, fig. 10 depicts a floor plan of three finished structures 150a, 150b and 150c, each finished structure 150a, 150b and 150c being arranged side by side to create one room unit having three rooms. The laminated multi-layer design of the enclosures 155 provides such positioning flexibility that, in certain circumstances, allows for positioning of the fenestration 204 in each wall assembly 200s, thereby providing a window on all four sides of each room.

The finished structures 150 may also be stacked one on top of the other to create a multi-layer structure. Using two type 2 structures 152, fig. 11 depicts a finished structure 150e on top of a finished structure 150d to create a two-layer structure. The laminated multi-layer design of enclosure 155 allows for a variety of custom options. Thus, as shown in fig. 10, in addition to the door aperture 202 on the first floor, a garage door aperture 203 is provided, as well as door aperture 202 (not visible) on the second floor, which is accessed via an external stair 201. A backing strip 418 may be provided on the ceiling top surface 402 along the first and second longitudinal ceiling edges 406, 416, along the second and first transverse ceiling edges 408, 410, and at selected spaced intervals within the perimeter of these edges as desired. As shown in fig. 6C, such spacers 418 provide an air barrier between the layers of the multi-layer structure. If desired, means may be used to secure the stacked finished structures 150 to one another, such as by using steel reinforcement plates fastened at spaced locations to connect the upper floor element 300 to the lower ceiling element 400.

In the case of four or more finished structures 150 stacked in a 2 x 2 array, if their baseboard 310 is used in place (as shown in fig. 6A), they will abut each other, providing space between the stacked finished structures 150. For example, the baseboard 310 may be approximately 2 inches (5.08 cm) thick (parallel to the dimension of the floor component 300). Such thickness provides a space between adjacent finished structures 150 of approximately 4 inches (10.16 cm) in width that can be used to run utility lines between floors, such as a piping set (vertical main conduit for liquid wastewater discharge) or a main electrical line. By forming holes in the shoulder beams 435 at appropriate locations, such utility lines can be accessed as desired.

The foregoing detailed description is for the purpose of illustration only and should not be taken as limiting the invention as defined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A collapsible building structure comprising:

The foldable building structure further comprises:

2. The foldable building structure of claim 1, wherein the first ceiling portion, the second ceiling portion, and the third ceiling portion each define a length of channel in the first ceiling portion, the second ceiling portion, and the third ceiling portion.

3. A collapsible building structure as claimed in claim 2 wherein each segment of the channels in the first, second and third ceiling portions are configured to form a closed loop in the interior portion of the ceiling member when the second and third ceiling portions are in their deployed positions, the closed loop being positioned near the perimeter of the ceiling member and adapted to accommodate a utility line.

4. A foldable building structure as claimed in claim 3 further comprising foam material in the interior portions of the first ceiling portion, the second ceiling portion and the third ceiling portion, and the channels are positioned within the foam material of the first ceiling portion, the second ceiling portion and the third ceiling portion.

5. The collapsible building structure of claim 4, the channel comprising a first channel and a second channel spaced apart from and substantially parallel to the first channel, wherein the first channel and the second channel are substantially circular in cross-section.

6. A collapsible building structure as claimed in claim 3 wherein:

The first ceiling portion having a first plurality of spaced apart elongated ceiling slots in an interior portion thereof for receiving a utility line;

7. A foldable building structure as in claim 6 wherein each of said first, second and third ceiling portions each has a plurality of spaced apart elongated ceiling slot segments in an interior portion thereof adapted to form a fourth plurality of spaced apart elongated ceiling slots for receiving a utility line and in communicating relation with the channels formed when said second and third ceiling portions are in their deployed positions, said fourth plurality of spaced apart elongated ceiling slots oriented substantially perpendicular to said first, second and third plurality of spaced apart elongated ceiling slots.

8. A collapsible building structure as claimed in claim 3, further comprising:

9. A collapsible building structure as claimed in claim 8 wherein each of the first and second wall portions has a wall slot segment in an interior portion thereof, the wall slot segments being adapted to form a connecting wall slot for receiving a utility line when the first wall portion is in its deployed position, the connecting wall slot being in communication with each of the first and second spaced apart elongate wall slots when the first wall portion is in its deployed position.

10. The foldable building structure of claim 8, further comprising:

11. A foldable building structure according to claim 10 wherein each of said first and second floor sections has a plurality of spaced apart elongate floor slot segments in an interior portion thereof adapted to form a third plurality of spaced apart elongate floor slots for receiving utility lines when said second floor section is in its deployed position, said third plurality of spaced apart elongate floor slots oriented substantially perpendicular to said first and second plurality of spaced apart elongate floor slots.

12. The foldable building structure of claim 6, further comprising:

13. A collapsible building structure comprising:

14. The collapsible building structure of claim 13, wherein, when at least one of the plurality of enclosures is in the deployed position, a loop is formed around a perimeter of the at least one of the plurality of enclosures via the first and second ones of the first plurality of channels and the first and second ones of the second plurality of channels.

15. The collapsible building structure of claim 13, wherein a loop is formed around a perimeter of at least one of the two or more sections via first and second ones of the first plurality of channels and first and second ones of the second plurality of channels.